Communication method and device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a communication method and device, relates to the field of communication, and can reflect a real antenna array composed of a plurality of non-uniformly distributed antenna arrays. The method comprises the following steps: first equipment (terminal equipment or network equipment) acquires downlink channel state information; and determining a first precoding matrix from a first matrix corresponding to the first antenna array according to the downlink channel state information. The first matrix comprises a plurality of precoding matrixes, a plurality of antenna arrays in the first antenna array are located on a plurality of antenna panels, and the distance between first adjacent antenna arrays in the plurality of antenna arrays is different from the distance between second adjacent antenna arrays in the plurality of antenna arrays. The first adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays on adjacent antenna panels in the plurality of antenna panels, and the second adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays on the same antenna panel in the plurality of antenna panels; the first matrix is determined according to a width of an antenna panel of the plurality of antenna panels and a distance between first adjacent antenna arrays.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communications, and in particular, to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0002] As one of the key technologies of the new generation of wireless access technology (NR), massive multiple input multiple output (Massive MIMO) technology can improve system capacity by using more spatial degrees of freedom and has been widely studied.

[0003] In a Massive MIMO system, a transmitter (e.g., a network device) can send data to a receiver (e.g., a terminal device) through an antenna array composed of multiple transmitting antennas, thereby improving the system throughput. In order to improve the system transmission performance by performing precoding at the transmitter, the transmitter needs to obtain channel state information (CSI), and CSI is usually obtained by the receiver through channel measurement. Therefore, the receiver needs to feed back the CSI to the transmitter. Specifically, the transmitter and the receiver share a codebook, which contains a set of at least one precoding matrix, and the codebook is used to characterize the antenna array used for communication between the transmitter and the receiver. Among them, the receiver feeds back CSI to the transmitter mainly by feeding back a precoding matrix index (PMI) to the transmitter. After the receiver obtains CSI through channel estimation, it selects a precoding matrix from the codebook according to the CSI, and feeds back the PMI corresponding to the precoding matrix to the network device. The network device recovers the optimal precoding matrix according to the PMI, and then performs precoding processing.

[0004] However, for an antenna array composed of multiple non-uniformly distributed antenna elements, the codebook determined by the current design method cannot reflect the actual antenna array. Therefore, how to reflect the actual antenna array composed of multiple non-uniformly distributed antenna elements is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and device that can reflect a real antenna array composed of multiple non-uniformly distributed antenna elements.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first device (terminal device or network device), or by a component of the first device, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of a receiving device, or by a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the receiving device. The method includes: obtaining downlink channel state information; determining a first precoding matrix from a first matrix corresponding to a first antenna array according to the downlink channel state information, the first matrix including a plurality of precoding matrices, a plurality of antenna elements in the first antenna array being located at a plurality of antenna panels, a distance between first adjacent antenna elements in the plurality of antenna elements being different from a distance between second adjacent antenna elements, the first adjacent antenna elements being adjacent antenna elements on adjacent antenna panels in the plurality of antenna panels, the second adjacent antenna elements being adjacent antenna elements on the same antenna panel in the plurality of antenna panels, and the first matrix being determined according to a width of an antenna panel in the plurality of antenna panels and a distance between first adjacent antenna elements.

[0007] Based on this scheme, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, for a non-uniformly distributed first antenna array synthesized by antenna elements in multiple antenna panels (i.e., the distance between first adjacent antenna elements in multiple antenna elements in the first antenna array is different from the distance between second adjacent antenna elements; wherein the first adjacent antenna elements are adjacent antenna elements on adjacent antenna panels in multiple antenna panels, and the second adjacent antenna elements are adjacent antenna elements on the same antenna panel in multiple antenna panels), a terminal device or a network device can determine a first matrix corresponding to the first antenna array according to the width of the antenna panels in multiple antenna panels and the distance between the first adjacent antenna elements. In other words, the distance between the first adjacent antenna elements is taken into account in the process of determining the first matrix, so that the first matrix can reflect the first antenna array, thereby enabling the network device to select reliable configuration resources, reduce interference to the signal during transmission, and thus improve the communication efficiency between the terminal device and the network device.

[0008] In a possible design, the first adjacent antenna element includes a first antenna element and a second antenna element. The first antenna element and the second antenna element are located on different antenna panels, and the first antenna element and the second antenna element are adjacent to each other.

[0009] In one possible design, the width of an antenna panel in the plurality of antenna panels is determined according to the distance between second adjacent antenna elements and the number of rows or columns of antenna elements on the antenna panel.

[0010] In one possible design, when adjacent antenna panels are adjacent in the horizontal direction, the width of an antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels is the width of the antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels in the horizontal direction, and the first adjacent antenna array is the adjacent antenna array of the adjacent antenna panels in the horizontal direction.

[0011] In a possible design, the first matrix corresponding to the first antenna array is determined based on a preset matrix, the number of rows of the first antenna array, and the phase offset of other antenna panels except the first antenna panel relative to the first antenna panel among multiple antenna panels, wherein the first antenna panel is a preset first reference antenna panel among multiple antenna panels; the preset matrix is ​​an N-length discrete Fourier transform DFT matrix, the preset matrix is ​​a matrix corresponding to N antennas in the same polarization direction, the distance between adjacent antennas in the N antennas in the same polarization direction is equal to the distance between second adjacent antennas, and N is an integer greater than 1; the phase offset of the second antenna panel in other antenna panels relative to the first antenna panel is determined based on the width of the antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels and the distance between third adjacent antenna arrays, the third adjacent antenna array includes the distance between the two antenna arrays closest to each other in the first antenna panel and the second antenna panel, respectively, the second antenna panel is any antenna panel among the other antenna panels, and the distance between third adjacent antenna arrays is determined based on the distance between the first adjacent antennas.

[0012] In one possible design, when adjacent antenna panels are adjacent in the vertical direction, the width of an antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels is the width of the antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels in the vertical direction, and the first adjacent antenna is an adjacent antenna of the adjacent antenna panels in the vertical direction.

[0013] In one possible design, the first matrix corresponding to the first antenna array is determined based on a preset matrix, the number of columns of the first antenna array, and the phase offset of other antenna panels except the third antenna panel among multiple antenna panels relative to the third antenna panel, wherein the third antenna panel is a preset second reference antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels; the preset matrix is ​​an N-length discrete Fourier transform DFT matrix, the preset matrix is ​​a matrix corresponding to N antennas in the same polarization direction, the distance between adjacent antennas in the N antennas in the same polarization direction is equal to the distance between second adjacent antennas, and N is an integer greater than 1; the phase offset of the fourth antenna panel among other antenna panels relative to the third antenna panel is determined based on the width of the antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels and the distance between fourth adjacent antenna arrays, the fourth adjacent antenna array includes two antennas that are closest to each other and are respectively located in the third antenna panel and the fourth antenna panel, the fourth antenna panel is any antenna panel among the other antenna panels, and the distance between fourth adjacent antenna arrays is determined based on the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays.

[0014] In one possible design, the communication method also includes: receiving first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate the width of the antenna panel and the distance between first adjacent antennas; and determining a first matrix corresponding to the first antenna array according to the first indication information.

[0015] In one possible design, the communication method also includes: receiving second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a first matrix corresponding to the first antenna array.

[0016] In a possible design, the first indication information or the second indication information is carried in the radio resource control RRC signaling or the media access control layer control element MAC-CE signaling.

[0017] In one possible design, the communication method also includes: sending third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate the first precoding matrix.

[0018] Based on this possible design, after the first device sends the third indication information, the network device can select reliable configuration resources according to the first precoding matrix to reduce interference to the signal during transmission, thereby improving the communication efficiency between the first and second devices.

[0019] In one possible design, each precoding matrix in the multiple precoding matrices indicates a group of beams respectively; accordingly, the first precoding matrix is ​​used to indicate a first group of beams in the multiple groups of beams indicated by the multiple precoding matrices.

[0020] Based on this possible design, the first precoding matrix can directly indicate the first group of beams among the multiple groups of beams indicated by the multiple precoding matrices. It can be understood that the bit overhead occupied by the indication information for indicating a group of beams is less than the bit overhead occupied by the indication information for indicating one or more phase adjustment coefficients. Therefore, compared with the solution in which the first device indicates one or more phase adjustment coefficients, signaling overhead can be saved.

[0021] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first device (terminal device or network device), or by a component of the first device, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of a receiving device, or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the receiving device. The method includes: obtaining downlink channel state information; determining a second precoding matrix from a second matrix corresponding to a second antenna array according to the downlink channel state information, the second matrix including a plurality of precoding matrices, the plurality of precoding matrices corresponding to X-type beams, and X being a positive integer greater than 1.

[0022] In one possible design, the first device may be a terminal device, or the first device may be a network device.

[0023] Based on this scheme, the second matrix corresponding to the second antenna array corresponds to X-type beams. It can be understood that different types of beams are related to the types of driving channels that drive the antenna elements in the second antenna array. That is, the number of beam types is equal to the number of driving channel types. In other words, when the second antenna array corresponds to different types of driving channels, the corresponding beams include different types of beams. Therefore, compared to treating different types of driving channels as the same type, the scheme in which the determined second matrix corresponds to a type of beam enables the second matrix to reflect the second antenna array, thereby enabling the network device to select reliable configuration resources and reduce interference to the signal during transmission, thereby improving the communication efficiency between the terminal device and the network device.

[0024] In a possible design, multiple antenna elements in the second antenna array are driven by X-type driving channels, and the X-type driving channels respectively drive different numbers of antenna elements.

[0025] In a possible design, a type I beam in an X type beam is determined based on a third matrix, the number of columns of a second antenna array, and a driving channel corresponding to the type I beam, where I is a positive integer and I is less than or equal to X, wherein the third matrix is ​​determined based on a preset matrix, the preset matrix is ​​an N-length discrete Fourier transform DFT matrix, the preset matrix indicates a matrix corresponding to N antennas in the same polarization direction, a distance between adjacent antennas in the N antennas in the same polarization direction is equal to a distance between adjacent antennas located on the same antenna panel in the second antenna array, and N is greater than or equal to the number of columns and / or rows of the second antenna array.

[0026] In one possible design, when multiple antenna elements in the second antenna array are located on the same antenna panel, the third matrix is ​​a preset matrix; or, when multiple antenna elements in the second antenna array are located on multiple antenna panels and the distances between adjacent antenna elements in the multiple antenna elements are equal, the third matrix is ​​a preset matrix.

[0027] In one possible design, multiple antenna arrays within the second antenna array are located on multiple antenna panels, and the distance between first adjacent antenna arrays in the multiple antenna panels is different from the distance between second adjacent antenna arrays, the first adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays on adjacent antenna panels in the multiple antenna panels, and the second adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays on the same antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels: the third matrix is ​​determined based on a preset matrix and a phase offset of other antenna panels other than the first antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels relative to the first antenna panel, wherein the first antenna panel is a preset first reference antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels; the phase offset of the second antenna panel in the other antenna panels relative to the first antenna panel is determined based on the width of the antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels and the distance between the third adjacent antenna arrays, the third adjacent antenna array includes the distance between the two antenna arrays closest to each other located in the first antenna panel and the second antenna panel respectively, the second antenna panel is any antenna panel in the other antenna panels, and the distance between the third adjacent antenna arrays is determined based on the distance between the first adjacent antennas.

[0028] In one possible design, multiple antenna arrays within the second antenna array are located on multiple antenna panels, and the distance between first adjacent antenna arrays in the multiple antenna panels is different from the distance between second adjacent antenna arrays, the first adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays on adjacent antenna panels in the multiple antenna panels, and the second adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays on the same antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels: the third matrix is ​​determined based on a preset matrix and a phase offset of other antenna panels in the multiple antenna panels except the third antenna panel relative to the third antenna panel; wherein the third antenna panel is a preset second reference antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels; the preset matrix is ​​an N-length discrete Fourier transform. Transform the DFT matrix, where the preset matrix is ​​a matrix corresponding to N antennas in the same polarization direction, where the distance between adjacent antennas in the N antennas in the same polarization direction is equal to the distance between the second adjacent antennas, and N is an integer greater than 1; the phase offset of the fourth antenna panel relative to the third antenna panel in other antenna panels is determined based on the width of the antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels and the distance between fourth adjacent antenna arrays, where the fourth adjacent antenna array includes two antennas that are closest to each other and are located in the third antenna panel and the fourth antenna panel, respectively; the fourth antenna panel is any antenna panel among the other antenna panels, and the distance between fourth adjacent antenna arrays is determined based on the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays.

[0029] In a possible design, when I is equal to 1, the Ith type of beam in the X-type beams is determined according to the third matrix, the number of columns of the second antenna array, and the driving channel corresponding to the Ith type of beam, including: the first type of beam is determined according to the fourth matrix and the first matrix set, the first matrix set includes X matrices, wherein the fourth matrix is ​​determined according to the third matrix and the number of columns of the second antenna array; the Zth matrix in the X matrices is determined according to the preset matrix and the first driving quantity, the first driving quantity is the number of driving channels required for the Zth type of driving channel in the X-type driving channels to drive the first number of antenna arrays, the Zth type of driving channel is one type of driving channel in the X-type driving channels, the first quantity is equal to the number of rows of the second antenna array, Z is a positive integer, and Z is less than or equal to X.

[0030] In a possible design, when I is equal to 1, the Ith type of beam in the X-type beams is determined according to the third matrix, the number of columns of the second antenna array, and the driving channel corresponding to the Ith type of beam, including: the first type of beam is determined according to the sixth matrix and the third matrix set, the third matrix set includes X matrices, wherein the fifth matrix is ​​determined according to the third matrix #1 and the number of rows of the second antenna array; the Zth matrix in the X matrices is determined according to the third matrix #2 and the first driving number, the first driving number is the number of driving channels required for the Zth type of driving channel in the X-type driving channels to drive the first number of antenna elements, the Zth type of driving channel is one type of driving channel in the X-type driving channels, the first number is equal to the number of rows of the second antenna array, Z is a positive integer, and Z is less than or equal to X.

[0031] In one possible design, a first beam in a first type of beam is determined based on a first vector and a first vector set, where the first vector is a column-row vector in a fourth matrix, the first vector set includes a column vector in each of X matrices, and the first beam is one of the beams in the first type of beam.

[0032] In one possible design, the number of beams of the first type of beam is equal to the product of the number of columns of the second antenna array and the second driving number, where the second driving number is the driving channel with the largest number of driving antenna elements among the X-type driving channels, and is the number of driving channels required to drive the first number of antenna elements.

[0033] In a possible design, when I is greater than 1, the I-th type of beam in the X-type beam is determined according to the third matrix, the number of columns of the second antenna array, and the driving channel corresponding to the I-th type of beam, including: the I-th type of beam is determined according to the fifth matrix and the second matrix set, the second matrix set includes X-I+1 matrices, wherein the fifth matrix is ​​determined according to the third matrix and the first difference, the first difference is the difference between the number of columns of the second antenna array and the first number of columns, the first number of columns is the number of columns occupied by the antenna array driven by the I-1 type driving channel in the second antenna array, and the I-1 type driving channel is the X-type driving channel. The first I-1 driving channels in the X-I+1 driving channels drive the most antenna arrays; the Y-th matrix in the X-I+1 matrices is determined according to the preset matrix and the third driving quantity, the third driving quantity is the number of driving channels required for the Y-th driving channels in the X-I+1 driving channels to drive the first number of antenna arrays, the X-I+1 driving channels are the other driving channels in the X driving channels except the I-1 driving channels, the Y-th driving channels are one of the driving channels in the X-I+1 driving channels, the first quantity is equal to the number of rows of the second antenna array, Y is a positive integer, and Y is less than or equal to X-I+1.

[0034] In a possible design, when I is greater than 1, the I-th type of beam in the X-type beam is determined according to the third matrix, the number of columns of the second antenna array, and the driving channel corresponding to the I-th type of beam, including: the I-th type of beam is determined according to the seventh matrix and the fourth matrix set, and the fourth matrix set includes X-I+1 matrices. Among them, the fifth matrix is ​​determined according to the third matrix #1 and the first difference, the first difference is the difference between the number of columns of the second antenna array and the first number of columns, the first number of columns is the number of columns occupied by the antenna array driven by the I-1-type driving channel in the second antenna array, and the I-1-type driving channel is the first I-1-type driving channel with the most driven antenna arrays in the X-type driving channel. The Yth matrix among the X-I+1 matrices is determined according to the third matrix #2 and the third driving quantity, the third driving quantity is the number of driving channels required for the Yth driving channel in the X-I+1 driving channels to drive the first number of antenna arrays, the X-I+1 driving channels are other driving channels in the X driving channels except the I-1 driving channels, the Yth driving channels are one type of driving channels in the X-I+1 driving channels, the first quantity is equal to the number of rows of the second antenna array, Y is a positive integer, and Y is less than or equal to X-I+1.

[0035] In one possible design, the second beam in the first type of beam is determined based on a second vector and a second vector set, where the second vector is a column vector in a fifth matrix, the second vector set includes a column vector in each of X-I+1 matrices, and the second beam is one of the beams in the first type of beam.

[0036] In one possible design, the number of beams of the I-th type beam is equal to the product of the first difference and the second difference, and the second difference is the difference between the fourth drive number and the fifth drive number, wherein the fourth drive number is the drive channel with the largest number of drive antennas among the X-I+1 type drive channels, and is the number of drive channels required to drive the first number of antenna arrays, and the fifth drive number is the drive channel with the smallest number of drive antenna arrays among the I-1 type drive channels, and is the number of drive channels required to drive the first number of antenna arrays.

[0037] In a possible design, the communication method further includes: receiving fourth indication information, the fourth indication information being used to indicate a driving relationship between the X-type driving channel and multiple antenna elements in the second antenna array; and determining a second matrix corresponding to the second antenna array according to the second indication information.

[0038] In a possible design, the driving relationship between the multiple antenna elements in the second antenna array includes: among the multiple antenna elements, the distribution of the antenna elements respectively driven by the X-type driving channels in the second antenna array.

[0039] In a possible design, the fourth indication information is used to indicate the number of columns occupied by antenna arrays driven by X-type driving channels in the second antenna array, and the number of channels required for the X-type driving channels to drive a first number of antenna arrays, where the first number is equal to the number of rows of the second antenna array.

[0040] In a possible design, the fourth indication information is also used to indicate the width of an antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels and the distance between first adjacent antenna arrays, where the first adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays on adjacent antenna panels among the multiple antenna panels.

[0041] In a possible design, the communication method also includes: receiving fifth indication information, where the fifth indication information is used to indicate a second matrix corresponding to the second antenna array.

[0042] In a possible design, the fourth indication information or the fifth indication information is carried in RRC signaling or MAC-CE signaling.

[0043] In one possible design, the communication method also includes: sending sixth indication information, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate a second precoding matrix.

[0044] Based on this possible design, after the first device sends the sixth indication information, the network device can select reliable configuration resources according to the second precoding matrix to reduce interference to the signal during transmission, thereby improving the communication efficiency between the first and second devices.

[0045] In one possible design, each precoding matrix among the multiple precoding matrices indicates a group of beams respectively; accordingly, the second precoding matrix is ​​used to indicate a second group of beams among the multiple groups of beams indicated by the multiple precoding matrices, and the second group of beams includes at least one type of beams among the X type beams.

[0046] Based on this possible design, the second precoding matrix can directly indicate the second group of beams among the multiple groups of beams indicated by the multiple precoding matrices. It can be understood that the bit overhead occupied by the indication information for indicating a group of beams is less than the bit overhead occupied by the indication information for indicating one or more phase adjustment coefficients. Therefore, compared with the solution in which the first device indicates one or more phase adjustment coefficients, signaling overhead can be saved.

[0047] In combination with the first aspect and the second aspect, in a possible design, the first reference antenna panel is the leftmost or rightmost antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels.

[0048] In combination with the first aspect and the second aspect, in a possible design, when the distance between third adjacent antenna arrays is equal to the distance between first adjacent antenna arrays, the phase offset of the second antenna panel relative to the first antenna panel is determined based on the phase relationship between the second antenna panel and the first antenna panel, and the phase relationship between the second antenna panel and the first antenna panel is determined based on the horizontal width of the antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels and the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays.

[0049] In combination with the first aspect and the second aspect, in a possible design, the phase relationship between the second antenna panel and the first antenna panel satisfies the following relationship:

[0050]

[0051] in, represents the phase relationship between the second antenna panel and the first antenna panel, L N represents the horizontal width of the antenna panel in the plurality of antenna panels, D H represents the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays, N represents the number of columns of the antenna array in each antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels, and D A Indicates the distance between the second adjacent antenna elements.

[0052] In combination with the first aspect and the second aspect, in a possible design, the second reference antenna panel is the topmost or bottommost antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels.

[0053] In combination with the first aspect and the second aspect, in a possible design, when the distance between fourth adjacent antenna arrays is equal to the distance between first adjacent antenna arrays, the phase offset of the fourth antenna panel relative to the third antenna panel is determined based on the phase relationship between the fourth antenna panel and the third antenna panel, and the phase relationship between the fourth antenna panel and the third antenna panel is determined based on the width of the antenna panel in the vertical direction among the multiple antenna panels and the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays.

[0054] In combination with the first aspect and the second aspect, in a possible design, a phase relationship between the fourth antenna panel and the third antenna panel satisfies the following relationship:

[0055]

[0056] in, represents the phase relationship between the fourth antenna panel and the third antenna panel, L M Denotes the width of the antenna panel in the vertical direction among the multiple antenna panels, D V represents the distance between the first adjacent antennas, M represents the number of columns of the antenna array in each antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels, and D A represents the distance between the second adjacent antennas.

[0057] In combination with the first aspect and the second aspect, in a possible design, obtaining downlink channel state information includes: receiving downlink channel reference information; determining downlink channel state information according to the downlink channel reference information;

[0058] In combination with the first aspect and the second aspect, in a possible design, obtaining downlink channel state information includes: receiving uplink channel reference information; and determining downlink channel state information based on the uplink channel reference information.

[0059] In a third aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing various methods. The communication device may be the first device in the first aspect or the second aspect, or a device included in the first device, such as a chip or a chip system. The communication device includes a module, unit, or means corresponding to the implementation method, and the module, unit, or means may be implemented by hardware, software, or by hardware executing the corresponding software implementation. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions.

[0060] In some possible designs, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module may be used to implement the processing function in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof. The transceiver module may include a receiving module and a sending module, respectively used to implement the receiving function and the sending function in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof.

[0061] In some possible designs, the transceiver module may be composed of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver or a communication interface.

[0062] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store computer instructions, and when the processor executes the instructions, the communication device executes the method described in any aspect. The communication device can be the first device in the first aspect or the second aspect, or a device included in the first device, such as a chip or a chip system.

[0063] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a communication interface; the communication interface is used to communicate with a module outside the communication device; the processor is used to execute a computer program or instruction so that the communication device executes the method described in any aspect. The communication device can be the first device in the first aspect or the second aspect, or a device included in the first device, such as a chip or a chip system.

[0064] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: at least one processor; the processor is used to execute a computer program or instruction stored in a memory, so that the communication device performs the method described in any aspect. The memory may be coupled to the processor, or may be independent of the processor. The communication device may be the first device in the first aspect or the second aspect, or a device included in the first device, such as a chip or a chip system.

[0065] In some possible designs, the communication device includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data.

[0066] In some possible designs, when the device is a chip system, it can be composed of a chip or include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0067] It can be understood that when the communication device provided in any one of the third to sixth aspects is a chip, the sending action / function of the communication device can be understood as output information, and the receiving action / function of the communication device can be understood as input information.

[0068] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which a computer program or instruction is stored, and when the computer-readable storage medium is run on a communication device, the communication device can execute the method described in any one of the aspects.

[0069] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed on a communication device, enables the communication device to execute the method described in any one of the aspects.

[0070] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method in the third to eighth aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by different design methods in the above-mentioned first or second aspects, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an antenna panel provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a driving channel for driving antenna elements in an antenna array provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of another antenna panel provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of another antenna panel provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of beams corresponding to a multi-antenna panel codebook provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a communication system used in an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] Figure 7 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] Figure 8 A flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] Fig. 9 A flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] Fig.10 A schematic structural diagram of another antenna panel provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] Fig.11 A flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of a process for determining a first matrix corresponding to a first antenna array provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] Fig.13 A schematic diagram of beams corresponding to another multi-antenna panel codebook provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] Fig.14A schematic diagram of a process for determining a second matrix corresponding to a second antenna array provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] Fig.15 A flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] Fig.16 A flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] Fig.17 A schematic diagram of a beam corresponding to a second matrix provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] Fig.18 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0089] Fig.19 A schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0090] Fig. 20 A schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0091] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated with each other are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" in this application is merely a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist, for example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural.

[0092] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0093] In addition, in order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art can understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit the difference.

[0094] In the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete way for easy understanding.

[0095] It is understood that the "embodiment" mentioned throughout the specification means that the specific features, structures or characteristics related to the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, the various embodiments in the entire specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, these specific features, structures or characteristics can be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. It is understood that in various embodiments of the present application, the size of the sequence number of each process does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiment of the present application.

[0096] It can be understood that in the present application, "when" and "if" both mean that corresponding processing will be carried out under certain objective circumstances, and do not limit the time, nor do they require any judgment action when implementing, nor do they mean the existence of other limitations.

[0097] It can be understood that some optional features in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented independently in certain scenarios without relying on other features, such as the solution on which they are currently based, to solve corresponding technical problems and achieve corresponding effects, or may be combined with other features according to needs in certain scenarios. Accordingly, the devices provided in the embodiments of the present application may also realize these features or functions accordingly, which will not be elaborated here.

[0098] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can refer to each other. In the various embodiments in this application, and the various implementation methods / implementation methods / implementation methods in each embodiment, if there is no special explanation and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments and the various implementation methods / implementation methods / implementation methods in each embodiment are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments and the various implementation methods / implementation methods / implementation methods in each embodiment can be combined to form new embodiments, implementation methods, implementation methods, or implementation methods according to their inherent logical relationships. The implementation methods of this application described below do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0099] In order to facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, a brief introduction to the related technologies of the present application is first given as follows.

[0100] 1. Channel estimation:

[0101] Channel estimation refers to the process of estimating the characteristics of the channel using the characteristics of the received signal. Since the signal will be interfered to varying degrees during propagation, the amplitude, phase, and frequency of the signal will change significantly when it reaches the receiving end. Through channel estimation, the signal can be restored as much as possible, thereby improving the decoding efficiency of the signal.

[0102] As an example, channel estimation is performed based on a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0103] Specifically, in this example, the channel estimation process includes: the network device sends a CSI-RS to the terminal device, and after the terminal device receives the CSI-RS from the network device, it determines the downlink channel state information according to the CSI-RS, and further, according to the downlink channel state information, determines the precoding matrix #1 corresponding to the downlink channel state information from the predefined codebook, and sends the precoding matrix #1 to the network device, so that the network device can select reliable configuration resources according to the precoding matrix #1, reduce the interference of the signal during the transmission process, and thus improve the communication efficiency between the terminal device and the network device. For example, the network device can select a transmission beam toward the terminal device to communicate with the terminal device according to the precoding matrix #1.

[0104] Exemplarily, the predefined codebook is implemented in a matrix form. In addition, a column vector in the matrix is ​​a precoding matrix. Therefore, it can also be considered that the predefined codebook includes multiple precoding matrices.

[0105] Optionally, the predefined codebook may be predetermined by a protocol, or the predefined codebook may be predefined by a network device and sent to the terminal device via high-layer signaling. High-layer signaling includes but is not limited to radio resource control (RRC) signaling and media access control layer control element (MAC-CE) signaling.

[0106] Optionally, the terminal device may send a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) to the network device, where the PMI indicates precoding matrix #1.

[0107] As another example, channel estimation is performed based on a channel sounding reference signal (SRS).

[0108] Specifically, in this example, the channel estimation process includes: the terminal device sends an SRS to the network device, and after the network device receives the SRS from the terminal device, it determines the uplink channel information according to the SRS, and determines the downlink channel state information according to the channel reciprocity, and further determines the precoding matrix #2 corresponding to the downlink channel state information from the predefined codebook, so that it can select reliable configuration resources according to the precoding matrix #2, reduce the interference of the signal during the transmission process, and thus improve the communication efficiency between the terminal device and the network device. For example, the network device can select a transmission beam toward the terminal device to communicate with the terminal device according to the precoding matrix #2.

[0109] Optionally, the predefined codebook may be predetermined by a protocol, or the predefined codebook may be predefined by a network device. The predefined codebook may also be referred to as an antenna domain-beam domain transformation matrix; a column vector in the predefined codebook is a precoding matrix, and therefore, the predefined codebook may also be considered to include multiple precoding matrices.

[0110] 2. Evenly distributed antenna array:

[0111] The uniformly distributed antenna array means that the distances between adjacent antenna elements in the plurality of antenna elements are equal. An antenna element refers to a dual-polarized antenna, or two antennas with different polarization directions constitute an antenna element.

[0112] As an example, multiple antenna arrays may be located in the same antenna panel, that is, multiple antenna arrays are evenly distributed in one antenna panel. In this case, the antenna array may be considered to be an antenna array corresponding to a single antenna panel.

[0113] Exemplarily, multiple antenna elements in a single antenna panel are combined into an antenna array with N2 rows and N1 columns. Figure 1 As shown in (a), the value of N2 is 2, and the value of N1 is 8. At this time, the multiple antenna elements in the single antenna panel form an antenna array with 2 rows and 8 columns.

[0114] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, in the embodiments of the present application, the antenna array corresponding to the single antenna panel refers to: an antenna array in which the distances between adjacent antenna elements are equal and there are N2 rows and N1 columns.

[0115] Exemplarily, in this example, a uniformly distributed antenna array forms a beam.

[0116] As another example, multiple antenna elements may be located in multiple antenna panels. In this case, the distance between first adjacent antennas is equal to the distance between second adjacent antennas.

[0117] The first antenna is an adjacent antenna array on an adjacent antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels. In other words, the first adjacent antenna arrays are two antenna arrays located on different antenna panels and closest to each other, wherein the different antenna panels are adjacent antenna panels. The second adjacent antenna array is an adjacent antenna array on the same antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels. The second adjacent antenna array is an adjacent antenna array on the same antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels; or, the second adjacent antenna array is an antenna array synthesized by antenna arrays on multiple antenna panels, and the distance between two adjacent antenna arrays is equal.

[0118] For example, the number of antenna panels is 2, the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays is a, and the distance between the second adjacent antenna arrays is b. The case where a is equal to b is as follows: Figure 1 As shown in (b) in the figure, at this time, it can be considered that the multiple antenna elements in the two antenna panels are evenly distributed.

[0119] For multiple antenna panels, the antenna arrays corresponding to each antenna panel form beams independently. In this case, when the antenna array on one antenna panel is adjusted, the beam formed by the antenna array on another panel will not change.

[0120] In the case of multiple antenna panels, the number of CSI-RS ports is twice the number of antenna arrays on the multiple antenna panels. The maximum number of antenna ports that a network device can support is 32 ports. The maximum number of data streams (ranks) that a terminal device can support is 4.

[0121] It should be noted that each antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels mentioned in the embodiments of the present application is the same, for example, the size of the antenna panel, the number of antenna arrays on the antenna panel, and the distribution of the antenna arrays are all the same.

[0122] Optionally, the antenna elements in the uniformly distributed antenna array may be driven by the same type of drive channels; or driven by different types of drive channels. Where the antenna array is driven by different types of drive channels, the antenna array may also be referred to as a non-uniformly driven antenna array. In the embodiment of the present application, the drive channel may also be referred to as a radio frequency channel, which is uniformly described here and will not be repeated below.

[0123] Different types of driving channels drive different numbers of antenna elements. For example, the driving channel can drive three antenna elements, or the driving channel can drive six antenna elements, or the driving channel can drive 12 antenna elements.

[0124] For example, Figure 2Take an antenna array with 24 rows and 10 columns driven by two types of driving channels as an example, where the two types of driving channels are driving channels capable of driving three antenna elements and driving channels capable of driving six antenna elements. For the convenience of description, the driving channel driving three antenna elements is referred to as driving channel #1, and the driving channel driving six antenna elements is referred to as driving channel #2.

[0125] like Figure 2 As shown, the antenna arrays in the first two columns and the last two columns in the antenna array are driven by driving channel #2; that is, 4 driving channels #2 are required to drive each of the 4 columns of antenna arrays; the antenna arrays in the remaining 6 columns are driven by driving channel #1; that is, 8 driving channels #1 are required to drive each of the 6 columns of antenna arrays.

[0126] 3. Non-uniformly distributed antenna array:

[0127] An unevenly distributed antenna array means that the distances between adjacent antenna elements in a plurality of antenna elements are not completely equal; taking a plurality of antenna elements located on a plurality of antenna panels as an example, it can be considered that the distance between the first adjacent antenna elements is not equal to the distance between the second adjacent antenna elements.

[0128] For example, the number of antenna panels is 2, the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays is a, and the distance between the second adjacent antenna arrays is b. If a is not equal to b, Figure 3 As shown (as Figure 3 (a) and / or Figure 3 In (b)), a is smaller than b. At this time, it can be considered that the multiple antenna elements in the two antenna panels are unevenly distributed.

[0129] Exemplarily, the implementation of the multiple antenna panels where the non-uniformly distributed antenna array is located is the same as the implementation of the multiple antenna panels where the above-mentioned uniformly distributed antenna array is located. For details, please refer to the relevant description of the multiple antenna panels where the above-mentioned uniformly distributed antenna array is located, which will not be repeated here.

[0130] 4. Multi-antenna panel codebook:

[0131] Exemplarily, the multi-antenna panel codebook can be constructed in the following two ways:

[0132] In a possible implementation, a multi-antenna panel codebook is determined based on a set of phase adjustment coefficient values, wherein the phase adjustment coefficient is a phase change of each antenna panel other than the reference antenna panel in the multi-antenna panel relative to the reference antenna panel.

[0133] Exemplarily, the reference antenna panel may be the antenna panel with an index of 0 among the multiple antenna panels, or the reference antenna panel may be the antenna panel with the smallest index number among the multiple antenna panels.

[0134] Since the antenna arrays corresponding to each antenna panel in the multi-antenna panel form beams independently, the phase adjustment coefficient can indicate the phase change of other antenna panels relative to the reference antenna panel. In other words, the multi-antenna panel codebook characterizes the antenna arrays corresponding to different phase adjustment coefficients.

[0135] After the terminal device determines the downlink channel state information, one or more phase adjustment coefficients can be determined according to the downlink channel state information, that is, at this time, the precoding matrix #1 indicates one or more phase adjustment coefficients. Thus, the network device can determine one or more beams corresponding to the precoding matrix #1 according to the one or more phase adjustment coefficients.

[0136] Exemplarily, the phase adjustment coefficient and one or more beams corresponding to the precoding matrix #1 satisfy the following relationship (1):

[0137]

[0138] In the above relationship (1), p is the index of the antenna panel in the multi-antenna panel, p = 0, 1, ..., N g -1, where N g is the number of antenna panels in the multi-antenna panel; r is the index of the polarization direction of the antenna, r = 0, 1; l is the index of the rank, l = 0, 1, ..., R-1, where R is the number of ranks; c p,r,l is the phase adjustment factor of the antenna panel with index p compared to the antenna panel with index 0. p,r,l One or more beams corresponding to precoding matrix #1. The beam (k1, k2) formed by the antenna array on a single antenna panel, (k′ 1,l ,k′ 2,l ) is the offset compared to the beam (k1, k2), and is the offset beam (k1+k′ 1,l ,k2+k′ 2,l ), then determine w according to the above relationship (1) p,r,l In the process, Defaults to

[0139] However, the phase adjustment coefficient of two antenna panels in a multi-antenna panel is related to the distance between the two antenna panels. In this possible implementation, the value set of the phase adjustment coefficient is predefined, so no matter how the multi-antenna panels are distributed, the multi-antenna panel codebook is determined according to the value set of the phase adjustment coefficient. In other words, no matter how the multi-antenna panels are distributed, the multi-antenna panel codebook is the same. Therefore, the multi-antenna panel codebook determined based on this possible implementation does not match the antenna array of the multi-antenna panel, that is, the multi-antenna panel codebook at this time cannot truly reflect the antenna array of the multi-antenna panel.

[0140] In another possible implementation manner, a multi-antenna panel codebook is constructed based on a single-antenna panel codebook.

[0141] Exemplarily, taking an antenna array in a single antenna panel as an M×N antenna array as an example, the implementation process of the single antenna panel codebook includes: determining a DFT matrix P corresponding to a row of antennas in the same polarization direction in the antenna array in the single antenna panel N ; According to the DFT matrix P N Determine the DFT matrix P corresponding to the M rows of antennas in the same polarization direction in the antenna array in a single antenna panel (M×N) ; Further, according to the DFT matrix P (M×N) , determine the DFT matrix P corresponding to the M×N antenna array in the single antenna panel 2(M×N) , where the DFT matrix P 2(M×N) That is the single antenna panel codebook.

[0142] Specifically, P N With P (M×N) The following relationship is satisfied between them (2):

[0143] in,

[0144] Where Kron(W, V) is the Kronecker product of the matrix W and the matrix V. For example, Kron(P N , P M ) is represented as a matrix P N and the matrix P N The Kronecker product.

[0145] P (M×N) With P 2(M×N) The following relationship is satisfied between them (3):

[0146]

[0147] Based on the implementation of the above single antenna panel codebook, the antenna array in the multi-antenna panel can be used as a uniformly distributed antenna array, and the multi-antenna panel codebook can be determined using the single antenna panel codebook.

[0148] Assume that the number of multi-antenna panels is 4 and the distribution of the multi-antenna panels is as follows: Figure 4 (Right now Figure 4 (a) and / or Figure 4 As shown in (b) in the figure, the array antenna in the multi-antenna panel is an M×4N antenna array. Figure 4 The antenna elements in the antenna array shown in (a) are evenly distributed. Figure 4 The antenna elements in the antenna array shown in (b) are non-uniformly distributed. In this case, the distance between the first adjacent antennas is D H .

[0149] The implementation process of the multi-antenna panel codebook includes: determining the DFT matrix P corresponding to a row of antennas in the same polarization direction in the array antenna in the multi-antenna panel 4N , where P 4N It is a 4N×4N DFT matrix; according to the DFT matrix P 4N Determine the DFT matrix P corresponding to the M rows of antennas in the same polarization direction in the array antenna in the multi-antenna panel (M×4N) . Further, according to the DFT matrix P (M×4N) Determine the DFT matrix P corresponding to the M×4N array of antennas in the multi-antenna panel 2(M×4N) . Among them, the DFT matrix P 2(M×4N) That is the multi-antenna panel codebook.

[0150] Specifically, P 4N With P (M×4N) The following relationship (4) is satisfied:

[0151] P (M×4N) =Krom(P 4N , P M ), 4MN×4MN (4)

[0152] Among them, P 4N =Kron(P N , P4), 4N×4N

[0153] P (M×4N) With P 2(M×4N) The following relationship is satisfied between them (5):

[0154]

[0155] Since in this example, Figure 4 The multi-antenna panel codebook corresponding to the multi-antenna panel shown in (a) is Figure 4 The multi-antenna panel codebooks corresponding to the multi-antenna panels shown in (b) are all P 2(M×4N) That is, no matter whether the distance between the first adjacent antennas is equal to the distance between the second adjacent antennas, as long as the two antenna panels are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction, the corresponding codebooks are all O 2(M×4N) .

[0156] However, with P 2(M×4N) The antenna elements in the matched antenna array are evenly distributed, so P 2(M×4N) and Figure 4 The antenna array shown in (b) is not matched, that is, P 2(M×4N) Cannot truly reflect Figure 4 The antenna array shown in (b) in FIG. Therefore, how to reflect the actual antenna array composed of multiple non-uniformly distributed antenna elements is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0157] An easily conceivable solution is to expand the non-uniformly distributed antenna array into a uniformly distributed antenna array, and perform puncturing after calculation, thereby determining a multi-antenna panel codebook.

[0158] Exemplarily, according to the distance between the first adjacent antenna elements, the number of antenna elements is expanded so that the multi-antenna panel becomes a uniformly distributed antenna array, and the codebook corresponding to the uniformly distributed antenna array is determined according to the process of the multi-antenna panel codebook in the above example, and a punching operation is performed to obtain the multi-antenna panel codebook.

[0159] by Figure 4 Taking the four antenna panels shown in (b) as an example, assuming that inserting two antenna arrays between the first adjacent antenna arrays can make Figure 4 The antenna array shown in (b) in FIG. 1 becomes a uniformly distributed antenna array. At this time, the uniformly distributed antenna array is an M×(2N+6) antenna array. Similar to the above example, first determine P (4N+6) , where P (4N+6) The vectors used to represent the two inserted antenna elements are represented by 0. Further, P is determined in turn. (M×(4N+6)) and P 2(M×(4N+6)) Finally, P 2(M×(4N+6)) Punch a hole Figure 4 The multi-antenna panel codebook corresponding to the antenna array shown in (b) in FIG.

[0160] The beams corresponding to the multi-antenna panel codebook in this example are as follows Figure 5 As shown, Figure 5 A circle in the represents a beam, Figure 5It can be seen that the beams corresponding to the multi-antenna panel codebook include orthogonal beams, oversampled DFT beams, and rotated beams with rotation factors. That is, there are only some orthogonal beams in the beams corresponding to the multi-antenna panel codebook. Therefore, the multi-antenna panel codebook cannot be used for channel estimation at this time.

[0161] Based on this, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, for a non-uniformly distributed first antenna array synthesized by antenna elements in multiple antenna panels (i.e., the distance between first adjacent antenna elements in multiple antenna elements in the first antenna array is different from the distance between second adjacent antenna elements; wherein the first adjacent antenna elements are adjacent antenna elements on adjacent antenna panels in multiple antenna panels, and the second adjacent antenna elements are adjacent antenna elements on the same antenna panel in multiple antenna panels), a terminal device or a network device can determine a first matrix corresponding to the first antenna array according to the width of the antenna panels in multiple antenna panels and the distance between the first adjacent antenna elements. In other words, the distance between the first adjacent antenna elements is taken into account in the process of determining the first matrix, so that the first matrix can reflect the first antenna array, thereby enabling the network device to select reliable configuration resources, reduce interference to the signal during transmission, and thus improve the communication efficiency between the terminal device and the network device.

[0162] The technical solution provided in the present application can be used for various communication systems, and the communication system can be a third generation partnership project (3GPP) communication system, for example, a fourth generation (4G) long term evolution (LTE) system, an evolved LTE system (LTE-Advanced, LTE-A) system, a fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) system, a vehicle to everything (V2X) system, a system of hybrid networking of LTE and NR, or a device-to-device (D2D) system, a machine to machine (M2M) communication system, an Internet of Things (IoT), and other next generation communication systems, such as a sixth generation (6G) communication system. Alternatively, the communication system may also be a non-3GPP communication system without limitation.

[0163] Among them, the above-mentioned communication system applicable to the present application is only an example, and the communication system applicable to the present application is not limited to this. It is uniformly explained here and will not be repeated below.

[0164] See also Figure 6 , is an exemplary communication system provided by the present application. The communication system includes at least one network device and at least one terminal device. Optionally, different terminal devices can communicate with each other.

[0165] Optionally, information transmission between network devices and terminal devices can be achieved through transmission media such as radio waves, visible light, laser, infrared light, optical fiber, etc.

[0166] Optionally, the network device in the embodiment of the present application is a device that connects a terminal device to a wireless network. The network device may be a node in a wireless access network, which may also be referred to as a base station, or a radio access network (RAN) node (or device).

[0167] For example, the network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB or e-NodeB) in an LTE system or an LTE-A system, such as a traditional macro eNB and a micro eNB in ​​a heterogeneous network scenario. Alternatively, it may include a next generation node B (gNB) of wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA). Alternatively, it may include a transmission reception point (TRP), a home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), a base band unit (BBU), a base band pool (BBU pool), a base transceiver station (BTS) in a global system for mobile communication (GSM) or code division multiple access (CDMA) network, or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) access point (AP), etc. Alternatively, it may include a base station in NTN, that is, it may be deployed on a high-altitude platform or satellite. In NTN, the network device may be used as a layer 1 (L1) relay, or as a base station, or as a distributed unit (DU), or as an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node. Alternatively, the network device may be a device that implements the base station function in IoT, such as a device that implements the base station function in V2X, D2D, or machine to machine (M2M), or it may include a vehicle-mounted device or a wearable device, or it may include a network device in a 5G network or a public land mobile network (PLMN) that evolves after 5G, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0168] In some possible scenarios, the network device in the embodiment of the present application may also be a module or unit that can implement some functions of the base station. For example, the network device may be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU may be set separately, or may be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU may be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0169] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, the access network device may be a network device or a module of a network device in an open radio access network (open RAN, ORAN) system. In the ORAN system, CU may also be referred to as open (open, O)-CU, DU may also be referred to as O-DU, CU-CP may also be referred to as O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be referred to as O-CU-UP, and RU may also be referred to as O-RU. Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0170] Optionally, the base station in the embodiments of the present application may include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also called small stations), relay stations, access points, home base stations, TRPs, transmitting points (TP), mobile switching centers, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0171] Optionally, the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application may be a user-side device for implementing a wireless communication function, such as a terminal or a chip that can be used in a terminal, etc. The terminal may be a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a terminal unit, a terminal station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a wireless communication device, a terminal agent or a terminal device, etc. in a 5G network or a PLMN evolved after 5G. The access terminal may be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device or a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, a wireless data card, a tablet computer, a wireless modem, a handheld device (handset), a laptop computer, a machine type communication (MTC) terminal, etc. Alternatively, the terminal may be a terminal with communication function in IoT, such as a terminal in V2X (eg, a vehicle networking device), a terminal in D2D communication, or a terminal in M2M communication, etc. The terminal may be mobile or fixed.

[0172] Optionally, the roles between the network device and the terminal device may be relative, for example, Figure 6In the terminal device 9 and the terminal device 10, since the terminal device 10 needs to access the network device 1 through the terminal device 9, the terminal device 9 can be configured as a network device relative to the terminal device 10; and relative to the network device 1, the terminal device 9 is a terminal device at this time, that is, the network device 1 and the terminal device 9 communicate through the wireless air interface protocol. Optionally, the network device 1 and the terminal device 9 can also communicate through the interface protocol between the network devices and the network devices. At this time, relative to the network device 1, the terminal device 9 also acts as a network device. Optionally, the network device and the terminal device, the network device and the network device, or the terminal device and the terminal device can communicate through the authorized spectrum, or can communicate through the unlicensed spectrum, or can communicate through the authorized spectrum and the unlicensed spectrum at the same time. Optionally, the network device and the terminal device, the network device and the network device, or the terminal device and the terminal device can communicate through the spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), or can communicate through the spectrum above 6 GHz, or can use the spectrum below 6 GHz and the spectrum above 6 GHz at the same time. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communications.

[0173] Below in conjunction with accompanying drawing, the communication method that embodiment of the present application provides is described.It is understandable that, in embodiment of the present application, network equipment or terminal equipment can perform part or all of the steps in embodiment of the present application, and these steps or operations are only examples, and embodiment of the present application can also perform other operations or the deformation of various operations.In addition, each step can be performed in the different order presented in embodiment of the present application, and it is possible not to perform all the operations in embodiment of the present application.

[0174] like Figure 7 As shown, a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes the following steps:

[0175] S701. A first device obtains downlink channel state information.

[0176] Optionally, based on the device type of the first device, the first device may acquire the downlink channel state information in different ways, wherein the device type of the first device includes a terminal device or a network device.

[0177] As an example, when the first device is a terminal device, the terminal device may determine the downlink channel state information according to the downlink channel reference information.

[0178] Optionally, in this example, the downlink channel reference information is sent from the network device to the terminal device. That is, step S701 can be replaced by Figure 8Steps S701A to S701B shown:

[0179] S701A: The network device sends downlink channel reference information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the downlink channel reference information from the network device.

[0180] Exemplarily, the downlink channel reference information may include CSI-RS.

[0181] S701B. The terminal device determines downlink channel state information according to the downlink channel reference information.

[0182] As another example, when the first device is a network device, the network device may determine the downlink channel state information according to the uplink channel reference information.

[0183] Optionally, in this example, the uplink channel reference information is sent from the terminal device to the network device. That is, step S701 can be replaced by Fig. 9 Steps S701C to S701D shown:

[0184] S701C: The terminal device sends uplink channel reference information to the network device, and correspondingly, the network device receives downlink channel reference information from the terminal device.

[0185] Exemplarily, the uplink channel reference information may include SRS.

[0186] S701D: The network device determines downlink channel state information according to the uplink channel reference information.

[0187] Optionally, the network device determines the downlink channel state information according to the uplink channel reference information, including: the network device determines the uplink channel state information according to the uplink channel reference information; and then determines the downlink channel state information according to channel reciprocity.

[0188] S702. The first device determines a first precoding matrix from a first matrix corresponding to the first antenna array according to the downlink channel state information. The first matrix includes multiple precoding matrices, multiple antenna arrays in the first antenna array are located at multiple antenna panels, the distance between first adjacent antenna arrays in the multiple antenna arrays is different from the distance between second adjacent antenna arrays, the first adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays on adjacent antenna panels in the multiple antenna panels, the second adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays on the same antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels, and the first matrix is ​​determined according to the width of the antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels and the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays.

[0189] Exemplarily, the distance between the first adjacent antenna elements and the distance between the second adjacent antenna elements can both be represented by the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave (λ). For example, the distance between the first adjacent antenna elements / the distance between the second adjacent antenna elements d and λ satisfy the following relationship (6):

[0190] d=kλ (6)

[0191] The value of k corresponding to the distance between the first adjacent antenna elements is different from the value of k corresponding to the distance between the second adjacent antenna elements. For example, the value of k includes but is not limited to 1 / 2 and 2 / 3.

[0192] It can be understood that a column vector of the first matrix is ​​a precoding matrix, that is, the number of the plurality of precoding matrices is equal to the number of columns of the first matrix. Therefore, it can be considered that the plurality of precoding matrices synthesize the first matrix.

[0193] Exemplarily, each antenna panel in the plurality of antenna panels is the same, for example, the size of each antenna panel and the distribution of the antenna array within the antenna panel are the same.

[0194] Exemplarily, since the first adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays on adjacent antenna panels among the multiple antenna panels, the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays can also be understood as: the distance between adjacent antenna arrays on adjacent antenna panels.

[0195] Optionally, the first adjacent antenna array includes a first antenna array and a second antenna array, the first antenna array and the second antenna array are located on different antenna panels, and the first antenna array and the second antenna array are adjacent to each other.

[0196] For example, a plurality of antenna panels include four antenna panels (such as antenna panel #1 to antenna panel #4). Fig.10 ( Fig.10 (a) or Fig.10 As shown in (b)), taking the adjacent antenna panels as antenna panel #1 and antenna panel #2 as an example, the first antenna array may be one of the antenna arrays in the last column of the antenna array in antenna panel #1, and correspondingly, the second antenna array may be one of the antenna arrays in the first column of the antenna array in antenna panel #2; or, the first antenna array may be one of the antenna arrays in the first column of the antenna array in antenna panel #2, and correspondingly, the second antenna array may be one of the antenna arrays in the last column of the antenna array in antenna panel #1. The first antenna array and the second antenna array are located at the same horizontal position.

[0197] Among them, in Fig.10 In the case shown in (a), the distance between the first adjacent antennas is DH1 , and the distance between the first adjacent antennas is greater than the distance between antenna panel #1 and antenna panel #2. Fig.10 In the case shown in (b), the distance between the first adjacent antennas is D H2 , and the distance between the first adjacent antennas is equal to the distance between antenna panel #1 and antenna panel #2. At this time, the distance between the first adjacent antenna elements can also be understood as: the distance between adjacent antenna panels.

[0198] Exemplarily, the first antenna array and the second antenna array being located at the same horizontal position can be understood as: the first antenna array and the second antenna array are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. Figure 4 As shown in (a), the two antenna panels are located at the same horizontal position. Figure 4 The two antenna panels shown in (b) are located at the same vertical position. The two antenna panels being located at the same vertical position can be understood as: the two antenna panels are distributed side by side in the vertical direction.

[0199] Optionally, the width of the antenna panel may be understood as: the width of any one of the multiple antenna panels.

[0200] Optionally, the width of the antenna panel may be measured in advance, or the width of the antenna panel may be determined based on the distance between second adjacent antenna elements and the number of rows or columns of antenna elements on the antenna panel.

[0201] Exemplarily, the width of the antenna panel is determined based on the distribution pattern of the antenna array within the single antenna panel.

[0202] Distribution mode 1: The distance between the outermost antenna element in the antenna array in a single antenna panel and the edge of the antenna panel is greater than a first threshold. For example, the distribution of the antenna array in a single antenna panel in the distribution mode 1 can be as follows: Fig.10 As shown in (a) in .

[0203] Exemplarily, the first threshold is infinitely close to 0, or the first threshold is equal to 0.

[0204] Distribution mode 2: The outermost antenna element in the antenna array in a single antenna panel is located at the edge of the antenna panel. Alternatively, the distance between the outermost antenna element and the edge of the antenna panel can be ignored, or the distance between the outermost antenna element and the edge of the antenna panel is less than or equal to the first threshold. For example, the distribution of the antenna array in a single antenna panel under distribution mode 2 can be as follows: Fig.10 As shown in (b) in .

[0205] For example, in the second distribution mode, the width of the antenna panel is the distance between the first antenna element and the last antenna element in a row or a column of antenna elements in the antenna array. Therefore, the width of the antenna panel can be determined according to the distance between the second adjacent antenna elements and the number of rows or columns of antenna elements on the antenna panel, or the width of the antenna panel can be obtained by measurement.

[0206] For example, taking an antenna array in a single antenna panel as an M×N antenna array, the width of the antenna panel and the distance between the second adjacent antennas satisfy the following relationship (7) (i.e., relationship (7-1) or relationship (7-2)), where M and N are both integers greater than 1:

[0207] Width of antenna panel = distance between second adjacent antennas × (M-1) (7-1)

[0208] Width of antenna panel = distance between second adjacent antennas × (N-1) (7-2)

[0209] Exemplarily, based on the device type of the first device, the first device may obtain the first matrix based on the following two situations:

[0210] Case 1: The first device is a network device.

[0211] Optionally, in the following case, the network device determines the first matrix according to the first relevant information, wherein the first relevant information includes the width of the antenna panel and the distance between the first adjacent antennas.

[0212] Optionally, the first relevant information also includes the number of rows of the antenna array in a single antenna panel, the number of columns of the antenna array in a single antenna panel, and the number of multiple antenna panels.

[0213] Case 2: The first device is a terminal device.

[0214] As an example, Fig.11 As shown in (a), the terminal device can obtain the first matrix through steps S700A to S700B:

[0215] S700A: The network device sends first indication information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information from the network device, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the width of the antenna panel and the distance between the first adjacent antennas.

[0216] Optionally, the first indication information is also used to indicate the number of rows of the antenna array in a single antenna panel, the number of columns of the antenna array in a single antenna panel, and the number of multiple antenna panels. Alternatively, the number of rows of the antenna array in a single antenna panel, the number of columns of the antenna array in a single antenna panel, and the number of multiple antenna panels may also be indicated by other indication information besides the first indication information, which will not be described in detail here.

[0217] Exemplarily, the first indication information may be carried in RRC signaling or MAC-CE signaling.

[0218] S700B. The terminal device determines a first matrix according to the first indication information.

[0219] As another example, Fig.11 As shown in (b), the terminal device may obtain the first matrix through the following steps S700C to S700D:

[0220] S700C: The network device determines a first matrix according to first relevant information, wherein the first relevant information includes a width of the antenna panel and a distance between first adjacent antennas.

[0221] Exemplarily, the implementation of step S700C is the same as the implementation of the first matrix in the above case 1. For details, please refer to the relevant description of the above case 1, which will not be repeated here.

[0222] S700D: The network device sends second indication information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second indication information from the network device, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate the first matrix.

[0223] Exemplarily, the second indication information may be carried in RRC signaling or MAC-CE signaling.

[0224] Optionally, in the case where the terminal device determines the downlink channel state information, after step S702, the communication method may further include step S703:

[0225] S703: The terminal device sends third indication information to the network device, and correspondingly, the network device receives the third indication information from the terminal device, wherein the third indication information is used to indicate the first precoding matrix.

[0226] Based on this optional method, after the terminal device sends the third indication information to the network device, the network device can select reliable configuration resources according to the first precoding matrix to reduce interference to the signal during transmission, thereby improving the communication efficiency between the terminal device and the network device.

[0227] Optionally, each precoding matrix in the multiple precoding matrices indicates a group of beams respectively; accordingly, the first precoding matrix is ​​used to indicate a first group of beams in the multiple groups of beams indicated by the multiple precoding matrices.

[0228] Exemplarily, the first precoding matrix may indicate a group of beams through PMI. For example, PMI may indicate w p,r,l .

[0229] Based on this optional solution, the first precoding matrix can directly indicate the first group of beams among the multiple groups of beams indicated by the multiple precoding matrices. It can be understood that the bit overhead occupied by the indication information for indicating a group of beams is less than the bit overhead occupied by the indication information for indicating one or more phase adjustment coefficients. Therefore, compared with the solution in which the terminal device indicates one or more phase adjustment coefficients, the signaling overhead can be saved.

[0230] The embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, for a non-uniformly distributed first antenna array synthesized by antenna elements in multiple antenna panels (i.e., the distance between first adjacent antenna elements in multiple antenna elements in the first antenna array is different from the distance between second adjacent antenna elements; wherein the first adjacent antenna elements are adjacent antenna elements on adjacent antenna panels in the multiple antenna panels, and the second adjacent antenna elements are adjacent antenna elements on the same antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels), a terminal device or a network device can determine a first matrix based on the width of the antenna panel and the distance between the first adjacent antenna elements. In other words, the distance between the first adjacent antenna elements is taken into account in the process of determining the first matrix, so that the first matrix can reflect the first antenna array, thereby enabling the network device to select reliable configuration resources, reduce interference to the signal during transmission, and thus improve the communication efficiency between the terminal device and the network device.

[0231] The above is an overall description of the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application. The "first matrix" mentioned in the above embodiment is described in detail below. Exemplarily, the first matrix can be implemented based on the following three scenarios:

[0232] Scenario 1: Multiple antenna panels are equally spaced in the horizontal direction. That is, adjacent antenna panels in the multiple antenna panels are adjacent in the horizontal direction.

[0233] Optionally, in the following scenario, the width of the antenna panel is the width of the antenna panel in the horizontal direction, and correspondingly, the first adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays of adjacent antenna panels in the horizontal direction.

[0234] Exemplarily, the width of the antenna panel can be obtained by measurement, or determined according to the distance between the second adjacent antenna elements and the number of antenna elements on the antenna panel based on the second antenna. Specifically, the width of the antenna panel can be realized by referring to the relevant descriptions in the above-mentioned distribution mode 1 and distribution mode 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0235] Optionally, in the following scenario, the first matrix is ​​determined based on a preset matrix, the number of rows of the first antenna array, and a phase offset of other antenna panels among the multiple antenna panels except the first antenna panel relative to the first antenna panel.

[0236] The first antenna panel is a first reference antenna panel preset among multiple antenna panels.

[0237] The preset matrix is ​​an N-length DFT matrix, the preset matrix is ​​a matrix corresponding to N antennas in the same polarization direction, and the distance between adjacent antennas in the N antennas in the same polarization direction is equal to the distance between second adjacent antennas.

[0238] The phase offset of the second antenna panel in other antenna panels relative to the first antenna panel is determined based on the width of the antenna panel and the distance between the third adjacent antennas. The third adjacent antenna array includes two antenna arrays that are closest to each other and are located in the first antenna panel and the second antenna panel respectively. The second antenna panel is any antenna panel among the other antenna panels, and the distance between the third adjacent antenna arrays is determined based on the distance between the first adjacent antennas.

[0239] Exemplarily, the first reference antenna panel is the leftmost or rightmost antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels. For example, the distribution of the multiple antenna panels is as follows: Fig.10 As shown, the first reference antenna panel may be antenna panel #1, or the first reference antenna panel may be antenna panel #4. For the convenience of description, the first reference antenna panel is taken as the leftmost antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels (eg Fig.10 The antenna panel #1 in FIG. 1 is used as an example to describe the antenna panel #1 in FIG.

[0240] For example, the distribution of multiple antenna panels is as follows: Fig.10 As shown, the first antenna panel is antenna panel #1 as an example, and the other antenna panels are antenna panel #2 to antenna panel #4, wherein the second antenna panel is any one of antenna panel #2 to antenna panel #4.

[0241] Exemplarily, the preset matrix is ​​an N-length DFT matrix, which can be understood as: the preset matrix is ​​an N×N DFT matrix. In addition, since the preset matrix is ​​a matrix corresponding to N antennas uniformly distributed in the same polarization direction, the preset matrix can be N×N, l1, l2=1,...,N.

[0242] Exemplarily, the distance between third adjacent antenna arrays can be understood as: the distance between one of the antenna arrays on the second antenna panel that is closest to the first antenna panel, and one of the antenna arrays on the first antenna panel that is closest to the second antenna panel, wherein two antenna arrays in the third adjacent antenna arrays are located at the same horizontal position.

[0243] Optionally, the first matrix is ​​determined based on the matrix corresponding to the first group of antennas, the number of rows of the first antenna array, and the phase offset of other antenna panels among multiple antenna panels except the first antenna panel relative to the first antenna panel, wherein the first group of antennas are antennas in the same polarization direction in a row of antenna elements in the antenna array within the first antenna panel, and the matrix corresponding to the first group of antennas is determined based on a preset matrix and the number of columns of the antenna array within the first antenna panel.

[0244] For example, the preset matrix is ​​P N , the number of columns of the antenna array in the first antenna panel is N, and the matrix corresponding to the first group of antennas is P N For example, the first matrix and the first group of antennas can be Fig.12 For the convenience of introduction, the antennas in the same polarization direction in the first row of antenna elements in the first antenna panel are introduced as the first group of antennas.

[0245] Optionally, the first matrix is ​​determined based on the matrix corresponding to the second group of antennas and the number of rows of the first antenna array, wherein the second group of antennas are antennas in the same polarization direction in a row of antenna elements in the first antenna array, the second group of antennas includes the first group of antennas, and the matrix corresponding to the second group of antennas is determined based on the matrix corresponding to the first group of antennas and the phase offset of other antenna panels in multiple antenna panels except the first antenna panel relative to the first antenna panel.

[0246] Exemplarily, when the first group of antennas are antennas in the same polarization direction in the first row of antenna arrays in the first antenna panel, the second group of antennas are antennas in the same polarization direction in the first row of antenna arrays in the first antenna array. Fig.12 shown.

[0247] Exemplarily, the matrix corresponding to the second group of antennas and the matrix corresponding to the first group of antennas satisfy the following relationship (8):

[0248]

[0249] in,

[0250] Among them, in relation (8), P2N is the matrix corresponding to the second group of antennas, is the matrix P corresponding to the first group of antennas N The nth column vector in , N represents the number of columns of the antenna array in the first antenna panel, is the phase offset of the other antenna panels relative to the first antenna panel, N g is the number of multiple antenna panels.

[0251] Optionally, when the distance between third adjacent antenna arrays is equal to the distance between first adjacent antenna arrays, the phase offset of the second antenna panel relative to the first antenna panel is determined based on the phase relationship between the second antenna panel and the first antenna panel, and the phase relationship between the second antenna panel and the first antenna panel is determined based on the width of the antenna panel in the horizontal direction and the distance between the first adjacent antennas.

[0252] For example, the distribution of multiple antenna panels is as follows: Fig.10 As shown in the figure, the first antenna panel is antenna panel #1 as an example, the distance between the third adjacent antenna arrays is equal to the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays, which means that the second antenna panel is antenna panel #2. In other words, the phase relationship between antenna panel #1 and antenna panel #2 is determined according to the width of the antenna panel in the horizontal direction and the distance between the first adjacent antennas.

[0253] Optionally, the phase relationship between the second antenna panel and the first antenna panel satisfies the following relationship (9):

[0254]

[0255] in, represents the phase relationship between the second antenna panel and the first antenna panel, L N Indicates the horizontal width of the antenna panel, D H represents the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays, N represents the number of columns of the antenna array in each antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels, and D A Indicates the distance between the second adjacent antenna elements.

[0256] For example, taking the distance between the second adjacent antenna elements as λ / 2, D in the above relationship (9) is A can be replaced by λ / 2. That is, at this time, the relationship (9) is transformed into the following relationship (10):

[0257]

[0258] The implementation of each parameter in relation (10) is the same as the implementation of each parameter in the above relation (9). For details, please refer to the relevant description in relation (9), which will not be repeated here.

[0259] Optionally, when the distance between the third adjacent antenna arrays is greater than the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays, the phase relationship between the second antenna panel and the first antenna panel is an integer multiple of the first phase relationship. The first phase relationship is the phase relationship between the second antenna panel and the first antenna panel when the distance between the third adjacent antenna arrays is equal to the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays.

[0260] Exemplarily, when the distance between the third adjacent antenna elements is greater than the distance between the first adjacent antenna elements, the phase relationship between the second antenna panel and the first antenna panel and the first phase relationship satisfy the following relationship (11):

[0261]

[0262] Wherein, in relation (11), A is the Ath antenna panel among other antenna panels, is the phase relationship between the Ath antenna panel and the first antenna panel, L N Indicates the horizontal width of the antenna panel, D H represents the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays, N represents the number of columns of the antenna array in each antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels, and D A Indicates the distance between the second adjacent antenna elements.

[0263] Thus, the phase offset of the other antenna panels relative to the first antenna panel and the phase relationship between each antenna panel in the other antenna panels and the first antenna panel satisfy the following relationship (12):

[0264] (A+1)×(A+1),m=0,1,2,…,A (12)

[0265] Among them, in relation (12) is the phase offset of the other antenna panels relative to the first antenna panel, N g is the number of multiple antenna panels, A is the Ath antenna panel among other antenna panels, is the phase relationship between the Ath antenna panel and the first antenna panel.

[0266] W⊙V is represented by the multiplication of the elements in the same position in the matrix W and the matrix V. For example, Represented as matrix P A+1 With the matrix Multiply the elements at the same position in .

[0267] For example, N g For example, the value of P is 2. N The corresponding spatial direction of the beam is Fig.13 As shown in (a) (i.e. Fig.13 The solid line beam in (a)), P 2N The corresponding spatial direction of the beam is Fig.13 As shown in (b) (i.e. Fig.13 The dashed beam in (b) in Figure 1), that is, according to P N Determine P 2N The process is to make the wider beam (i.e. P N The corresponding beam) is adjusted to a narrow beam with more precise spatial direction (i.e. P 2N corresponding beam).

[0268] Optionally, the first matrix is ​​determined according to the matrix corresponding to the third group of antennas, wherein the third group of antennas is all antennas in the same polarization direction in the first antenna array, or in other words, the third group of antennas can also be considered as all antennas in the first antenna array corresponding to the polarization direction Z, where the value of Z is 0 or 1. The third group of antennas includes the second group of antennas, and the matrix corresponding to the third group of antennas is determined according to the matrix corresponding to the second group of antennas and the number of rows of the first antenna array. For example, the third group of antennas can be Fig.12 shown.

[0269] Exemplarily, the first matrix and the matrix corresponding to the third group of antennas satisfy the following relationship (13):

[0270]

[0271] Among them, P 2MN =Kron(P 2N , P M ), 2MN×2MN

[0272] Among them, in relation (13), P 4MN is the first matrix, P 2MN is the matrix corresponding to the third group of antennas, P 2N is the matrix corresponding to the second group of antennas, and M is the number of rows of the first antenna array.

[0273] Scenario 2: Multiple antenna panels are evenly spaced in the vertical direction. That is, adjacent antenna panels in the multiple antenna panels are adjacent in the vertical direction.

[0274] Optionally, in scenario 2, the width of the antenna panel is the width of the antenna panel in the vertical direction, and correspondingly, the first adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays of adjacent antenna panels in the vertical direction.

[0275] Exemplarily, the width of the antenna panel can be obtained by measurement, or determined according to the distance between the second adjacent antenna elements and the number of antenna elements on the antenna panel based on the second antenna. Specifically, the realization of the width of the antenna panel can refer to the relevant descriptions in the above distribution mode 1 and distribution mode 2, and will not be repeated here.

[0276] Optionally, in scenario two, the first matrix corresponding to the first antenna array is determined based on a preset matrix, the number of columns of the first antenna array, and a phase offset of other antenna panels among multiple antenna panels except the third antenna panel relative to the third antenna panel.

[0277] The third antenna panel is a preset second reference antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels. The phase offset of the fourth antenna panel relative to the third antenna panel among the other antenna panels is determined based on the width of the antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels and the distance between fourth adjacent antenna arrays, the fourth adjacent antenna array includes two antennas that are closest to each other and are located in the third antenna panel and the fourth antenna panel, the fourth antenna panel is any antenna panel among the other antenna panels, and the distance between fourth adjacent antenna arrays is determined based on the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays.

[0278] Exemplarily, the second reference antenna panel is the topmost or bottommost antenna panel among the plurality of antenna panels. Fig.14 As shown in the first antenna array in FIG. 1 , the second reference antenna panel may be antenna panel #1, or the second reference antenna panel may be antenna panel #4. For the convenience of description, the second reference antenna panel is taken as the top antenna panel of the plurality of antenna panels (eg Fig.14 The antenna panel #1 in FIG. 1 is used as an example to describe the antenna panel #1 in FIG.

[0279] For example, the distribution of multiple antenna panels is as follows: Fig.14 As shown, the third antenna panel is taken as antenna panel #1, and the other antenna panels are antenna panel #2 to antenna panel #4, wherein the fourth antenna panel is any one of antenna panel #2 to antenna panel #4.

[0280] Exemplarily, the distance between fourth adjacent antenna arrays can be understood as: the distance between one of the antenna arrays on the fourth antenna panel that is closest to the third antenna panel, and one of the antenna arrays on the third antenna panel that is closest to the fourth antenna panel, wherein two antenna arrays in the fourth adjacent antenna array are located at the same vertical position.

[0281] Optionally, the first matrix is ​​determined based on the matrix corresponding to the fourth group of antennas, the number of columns of the first antenna array, and the phase offset of other antenna panels among the multiple antenna panels except the first antenna panel relative to the first antenna panel, wherein the fourth group of antennas are antennas in the same polarization direction in a column of antenna elements in the antenna array in the third antenna panel, and the matrix corresponding to the fourth group of antennas is determined based on the preset matrix and the number of rows of the antenna array in the third antenna panel.

[0282] For example, the preset matrix is ​​P N , the number of rows of the antenna array in the third antenna panel is M, and the matrix corresponding to the third group of antennas is P M For example, the first matrix and the fourth group of antennas can be Fig.14 For the convenience of introduction, the antennas in the same polarization direction in the first column of antenna elements in the third antenna panel are introduced as the fourth group of antennas.

[0283] Optionally, the first matrix is ​​determined based on the matrix corresponding to the fifth group of antennas and the number of columns of the first antenna array, wherein the fifth group of antennas are antennas in the same polarization direction in a column of antenna elements in the first antenna array, the fifth group of antennas includes the fourth group of antennas, and the matrix corresponding to the fifth group of antennas is determined based on the matrix corresponding to the fourth group of antennas and the phase offset of other antenna panels except the third antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels relative to the third antenna panel.

[0284] Exemplarily, when the fourth group of antennas are antennas in the same polarization direction in the first column of antenna arrays in the third antenna panel, the fifth group of antennas are antennas in the same polarization direction in the first column of antenna arrays in the first antenna array. For example, the fifth group of antennas can be Fig.14 shown.

[0285] Exemplarily, the matrix corresponding to the second group of antennas and the matrix corresponding to the first group of antennas satisfy the following relationship (14):

[0286]

[0287] in,

[0288] Among them, in relation (14), P 2M is the matrix corresponding to the fifth group of antennas, The matrix P corresponding to the fourth group of antennas M The nth column vector in , M represents the number of columns of the antenna array in the third antenna panel, is the phase offset of the other antenna panels relative to the third antenna panel, N g is the number of multiple antenna panels.

[0289] Optionally, when the distance between fourth adjacent antenna arrays is equal to the distance between first adjacent antenna arrays, the phase offset of the fourth antenna panel relative to the third antenna panel is determined based on the phase relationship between the fourth antenna panel and the third antenna panel, and the phase relationship between the fourth antenna panel and the third antenna panel is determined based on the width of the antenna panel in the vertical direction among the multiple antenna panels and the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays.

[0290] Optionally, a phase relationship between the fourth antenna panel and the third antenna panel satisfies the following relationship (15):

[0291]

[0292] in, represents the phase relationship between the fourth antenna panel and the third antenna panel, L M Indicates the width of the antenna panel in the vertical direction, D V represents the distance between the first adjacent antennas, M represents the number of columns of the antenna array in each antenna panel, and D A represents the distance between the second adjacent antennas.

[0293] For example, taking the distance between the second adjacent antenna elements as λ / 2, D in the above relationship (15) is A can be replaced by λ / 2. That is, at this time, relation (15) is transformed into the following relation (16):

[0294]

[0295] The implementation of each parameter in relation (16) is the same as the implementation of each parameter in the above relation (15). For details, please refer to the relevant description in relation (14), which will not be repeated here.

[0296] Optionally, when the distance between fourth adjacent antenna elements is greater than the distance between first adjacent antenna elements, the phase relationship between the fourth antenna panel and the third antenna panel is an integer multiple of the second phase relationship. The second phase relationship is the phase relationship between the fourth antenna panel and the third antenna panel when the distance between the fourth adjacent antenna elements is equal to the distance between the first adjacent antenna elements.

[0297] Exemplarily, when the distance between fourth adjacent antenna elements is greater than the distance between first adjacent antenna elements, the phase relationship between the fourth antenna panel and the third antenna panel and the second phase relationship satisfy the following relationship (17):

[0298]

[0299] Wherein, in relation (10), B is the Bth antenna panel among other antenna panels, is the phase relationship between the Bth antenna panel and the fourth antenna panel, L M Indicates the width of the antenna panel in the vertical direction, D V represents the distance between the first adjacent antenna elements, M represents the number of rows of the antenna array in each antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels, and D A Indicates the distance between the second adjacent antenna elements.

[0300] Thus, the phase offset of the other antenna panels relative to the third antenna panel and the phase relationship between each antenna panel in the other antenna panels and the third antenna panel satisfy the following relationship (18):

[0301] (B+1)×(B+1), m=0,1,2,…,B (18)

[0302] Among them, in relation (18) is the phase offset of the other antenna panels relative to the third antenna panel, N g is the number of multiple antenna panels, B is the Bth antenna panel among the other antenna panels, is the phase relationship between the Bth antenna panel and the third antenna panel.

[0303] Optionally, the first matrix is ​​determined according to a matrix corresponding to a sixth group of antennas, wherein the sixth group of antennas are antennas in the same polarization direction in the first antenna array, the sixth group of antennas includes the fifth group of antennas, and the matrix corresponding to the sixth group of antennas is determined according to the matrix corresponding to the fifth group of antennas and the number of columns of the first antenna array. For example, the sixth group of antennas may be Fig.14 shown.

[0304] Exemplarily, the first matrix and the matrix corresponding to the sixth group of antennas satisfy the following relationship (19):

[0305]

[0306] Among them, P 2MN =Kron(P 2M , P N ), 2MN×2MN

[0307] Among them, in relation (19), P 4MN is the first matrix, P 2MN is the matrix corresponding to the sixth group of antennas, P 2M is the matrix corresponding to the fifth group of antennas, and N is the number of columns of the first antenna array.

[0308] Scenario 3: Antenna panels at the same horizontal position among multiple antenna panels are evenly spaced, and antenna panels at the same vertical position are evenly spaced.

[0309] Optionally, in scenario 3, the width of the antenna panel includes the width of the antenna panel in the horizontal direction and the width of the antenna panel in the vertical direction. Accordingly, in the horizontal direction, the first adjacent antenna array is the adjacent antenna array of the adjacent antenna panel in the horizontal direction; in the vertical direction, the first adjacent antenna array is the adjacent antenna array of the adjacent antenna panel in the vertical direction.

[0310] Exemplarily, the implementation of the width of the antenna panel and the first adjacent antenna element can refer to the relevant descriptions of the above-mentioned scenarios one and two, and will not be repeated here.

[0311] Optionally, in scenario three, the first matrix is ​​determined according to the matrix corresponding to the second group of antennas and the matrix corresponding to the fifth group of antennas.

[0312] Exemplarily, the implementation of the matrix corresponding to the second group of antennas and the matrix corresponding to the fifth group of antennas can refer to the relevant descriptions of the above-mentioned scenarios one and two, which will not be repeated here.

[0313] Exemplarily, the first matrix, the matrix corresponding to the second group of antennas, and the matrix corresponding to the fifth group of antennas satisfy the following relationship (20):

[0314]

[0315] Among them, P 4MN =Kron(P 2N , P 2M ), 4MN×4MN

[0316] Among them, in the relationship (20), P 8MN is the first matrix, P 4MN is the matrix corresponding to the antennas in the same polarization direction in the first antenna array, P 2M is the matrix corresponding to the fifth group of antennas, M is the number of rows of the antenna array in each antenna panel, and P 2N is the matrix corresponding to the second group of antennas, and N is the number of columns of the antenna array in each antenna panel.

[0317] In the above, the antenna elements in the antenna array are all driven by the same type of driving channels as an example, that is, the first antenna array is an antenna array in which each antenna element is driven by the same type of driving channels, and the process of the first device determining the first precoding matrix according to the first matrix corresponding to the first antenna array is described. In fact, the antenna elements in the antenna array can also be driven by different types of driving channels. That is, the first device can determine the second precoding matrix according to the second matrix corresponding to the second antenna array, wherein the antenna elements in the second antenna array are driven by different types of driving channels. The following describes in detail the process of the first device determining the second precoding matrix according to the second matrix corresponding to the second antenna array.

[0318] For example, the antenna elements in the second antenna array are driven by an X-type driving channel. Fig.15 As shown, the communication method includes steps S1501-S1502:

[0319] S1501, wherein step S1501 is the same as step S701, and the details may refer to the relevant description of step S701, which will not be repeated here.

[0320] S1502: The first device determines a second precoding matrix from a second matrix corresponding to the second antenna array according to the downlink channel state information, wherein the second matrix includes a plurality of precoding matrices, the plurality of precoding matrices correspond to X-type beams, and X is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0321] Exemplarily, different types of beams can be understood as beams with different coverage ranges.

[0322] Exemplarily, multiple precoding matrices corresponding to X-type beams may be understood as: multiple precoding matrices indicate X-type beams, wherein each precoding matrix in the multiple precoding matrices indicates one or more beams.

[0323] Optionally, the value of X is determined by the type of driving channels used to drive the multiple antenna elements in the second antenna array. For example, the value of X is the number of types of driving channels used to drive the multiple antenna elements in the second antenna array.

[0324] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, the driving channels for driving a column of antenna elements in the second antenna array are of the same type.

[0325] For example, Figure 2 As shown, the X-type driving channels may include two types of driving channels. The two types of driving channels are driving channels capable of driving three antenna elements and driving channels capable of driving six antenna elements. In this case, the value of X is 2.

[0326] Exemplarily, based on the device type of the first device, the first device may obtain the second matrix based on the following two situations:

[0327] Case 1: The first device is a network device.

[0328] Optionally, in the following case, the network device determines the second matrix according to the second related information, wherein the second related information includes a driving relationship between the X-type driving channels and a plurality of antenna elements in the second antenna array.

[0329] Optionally, the driving relationship between the multiple antenna elements in the second antenna array includes: among the multiple antenna elements in the second antenna array, distribution of the antenna elements respectively driven by the X-type driving channels in the second antenna array.

[0330] Exemplarily, the distribution of antenna arrays respectively driven by X-type driving channels in the second antenna array may include: the number of columns occupied by antenna arrays respectively driven by X-type driving channels in the second antenna array, and the number of channels required for the X-type driving channels to respectively drive a first number of antennas, wherein the first number is equal to the number of rows of the second antenna array.

[0331] For example, the second antenna array is Figure 2 Take the antenna array shown as an example, that is, multiple antenna arrays in the second antenna array are driven by 2 types of driving channels, among which one type of driving channel drives 3 antenna arrays, and the number of columns occupied by the antenna arrays driven by this type of driving channel is 6 columns, which are the 2nd to 7th columns of the second antenna array. And the number of channels required to drive the antenna arrays in any of the 6 columns using this type of driving channel is 8. Another type of driving channel drives 6 antenna arrays, and the number of columns occupied by the antenna arrays driven by this type of driving channel is 4 columns, which are the 0th, 1st, 8th and 9th columns of the second antenna array. And the number of channels required to drive the antenna arrays in any of the 4 columns using this type of driving channel is 4. Case 2, the first device is a terminal device.

[0332] As an example, Fig.16 As shown in (a), the terminal device can obtain the second matrix through steps S1500A to S1500B:

[0333] S1500A: The network device sends fourth indication information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the fourth indication information from the network device, wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate a driving relationship between the X-type driving channel and multiple antenna elements in the second antenna array.

[0334] Exemplarily, since the driving relationship between the X-type driving channels and the multiple antenna arrays in the second antenna array includes: the number of columns occupied by the antenna arrays respectively driven by the X-type driving channels in the second antenna array, and the number of channels required for the X-type driving channels to respectively drive the first number of antennas, it can be considered that the fourth indication information is used to indicate the number of columns occupied by the antennas respectively driven by the X-type driving channels in the second antenna array, and the number of channels required for the X-type driving channels to respectively drive the first number of antennas.

[0335] S1500B. The terminal device determines a second matrix according to the fourth indication information.

[0336] Exemplarily, the fourth indication information may be carried in RRC signaling or MAC-CE signaling.

[0337] As another example, Fig.16 As shown in (b), the terminal device may obtain the second matrix through the following steps S1500C to S1500D:

[0338] S1500C: The network device determines a second matrix according to the second related information, wherein the second related information includes a driving relationship between the X-type driving channels and a plurality of antenna elements in the second antenna array.

[0339] Exemplarily, the implementation of step S1500C is the same as the implementation of the second matrix in the above case 1. For details, please refer to the relevant description of the above case 1, which will not be repeated here.

[0340] S1500D: The network device sends fifth indication information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the fifth indication information from the network device, wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate the second matrix.

[0341] Exemplarily, the fifth indication information may be carried in RRC signaling or MAC-CE signaling.

[0342] Optionally, in the case where the terminal device determines the downlink channel state information, after step S1502, as follows Fig.16 (a) or Fig.16 As shown in (b), the communication method may further include step S1503:

[0343] S1503: The terminal device sends sixth indication information to the network device, and correspondingly, the network device receives the sixth indication information from the terminal device, wherein the sixth indication information is used to indicate the second precoding matrix.

[0344] Exemplarily, the implementation of the sixth indication information is similar to the implementation of the third indication information mentioned above. For details, please refer to the relevant description of the third indication information mentioned above, which will not be repeated here.

[0345] Based on this optional scheme, after the terminal device sends the sixth indication information, the network device can select reliable configuration resources according to the second precoding matrix to reduce interference to the signal during transmission, thereby improving the communication efficiency between the terminal and the first device.

[0346] Optionally, each precoding matrix in the multiple precoding matrices indicates a group of beams respectively; accordingly, the second precoding matrix is ​​used to indicate a second group of beams in the multiple groups of beams indicated by the multiple precoding matrices, and the second group of beams includes at least one type of beams in the X type beams.

[0347] Exemplarily, the implementation of the second precoding matrix is ​​similar to the implementation of the first precoding matrix. For details, reference may be made to the relevant description of the first precoding matrix, which will not be repeated here.

[0348] Based on this optional solution, the second precoding matrix can directly indicate the second group of beams among the multiple groups of beams indicated by the multiple precoding matrices. It can be understood that the bit overhead occupied by the indication information for indicating a group of beams is less than the bit overhead occupied by the indication information for indicating one or more phase adjustment coefficients. Therefore, compared with the solution in which the first device indicates one or more phase adjustment coefficients, signaling overhead can be saved.

[0349] In the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the second matrix corresponding to the second antenna array corresponds to X-type beams. It can be understood that different types of beams are related to the types of driving channels that drive the antenna elements in the second antenna array. That is, the number of beam types is equal to the number of driving channel types. In other words, when the second antenna array corresponds to different types of driving channels, the corresponding beams include different types of beams. Therefore, compared to treating different types of driving channels as the same type, the second matrix determined to correspond to a type of beam solution enables the second matrix to reflect the second antenna array, thereby enabling the network device to select reliable configuration resources, reduce interference to the signal during transmission, and thus improve the communication efficiency between the terminal device and the network device.

[0350] The above is an overall description of the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application. The following is a detailed introduction to the "X-type beam" mentioned in the above embodiments.

[0351] Optionally, the Ith type of beam in the Xth type of beam is determined according to the third matrix, the number of columns of the second antenna array, and the driving channel corresponding to the Ith type of beam, I is a positive integer, and I is less than or equal to X. Wherein, the third matrix is ​​determined according to a preset matrix, the preset matrix is ​​an N-length DFT matrix, the preset matrix indicates a matrix corresponding to N antennas in the same polarization direction, the distance between adjacent antennas in the N antennas in the same polarization direction is equal to the distance between adjacent antenna elements on the same antenna panel in the second antenna array, and N is greater than or equal to the number of columns and / or rows of the second antenna array.

[0352] Exemplarily, the driving channel corresponding to the type I beam can be understood as: a driving channel related to the type I beam. The type I beam can correspond to multiple types of driving channels; and / or, multiple types of beams in the type X beam correspond to the same type of driving channels.

[0353] Exemplarily, the third matrix may be implemented in the following two possible forms:

[0354] In a possible implementation form, when multiple antenna elements in the second antenna array are evenly distributed, the third matrix is ​​a preset matrix.

[0355] Exemplarily, in this possible implementation form, the second antenna array may include two possible implementation forms: multiple antenna elements in the second antenna array are all located in the same antenna panel. It can be understood that the distances between adjacent antenna elements in the antenna array in a single antenna panel are equal. Alternatively, multiple antenna elements in the second antenna array are located in multiple antenna panels, and the distances between adjacent antenna elements in the multiple antenna elements are equal.

[0356] Exemplarily, the value of N may be the number of columns or rows of the second antenna array. At this time, the preset matrix (i.e., the third matrix) indicates the matrix corresponding to the antennas of the same polarization direction in any row or column in the second antenna array, that is, the preset matrix (i.e., the third matrix) is PN. For the convenience of description, the following description is taken as an example in which the third matrix indicates the matrix corresponding to the antennas of the same polarization direction in the first row or the first column in the second antenna array.

[0357] Exemplarily, in this possible implementation form, the first type of beam includes the following two implementation modes:

[0358] As an example, when I is equal to 1, the Ith type of beam in the Xth type of beam is determined according to the third matrix, the number of columns of the second antenna array, and the driving channel corresponding to the Ith type of beam, including: the first type of beam is determined according to the fourth matrix and the first matrix set, the first matrix set includes X matrices, wherein the fourth matrix is ​​determined according to the third matrix and the number of columns of the second antenna array;

[0359] The Zth matrix among the X matrices is determined according to a preset matrix and a first driving quantity, the first driving quantity is the number of driving channels required by the Zth type of driving channels among the X types of driving channels to drive the first number of antenna arrays, the Zth type of driving channels is one type of driving channels among the X types of driving channels, the first quantity is equal to the number of rows of the second antenna array, Z is a positive integer, and Z is less than or equal to X.

[0360] For example, the second antenna array is Figure 2 Taking the antenna array shown as an example, that is, the second antenna array is an antenna array with 24 rows and 10 columns, the value of X is 2, and the X-type driving channels include driving channel #1 and driving channel #2. Driving channel #1 can drive 3 antenna arrays, and driving channel #2 can drive 6 antenna arrays. The antenna arrays driven by driving channel #1 are located in the 3rd to 8th columns of the second antenna array, and the antenna arrays driven by driving channel #2 are located in the 1st, 2nd, 9th, and 10th columns of the second antenna array.

[0361] Since the number of columns of the second antenna array is 10, the fourth matrix is ​​P 10 ; Since the value of X is 2, the first matrix set includes 2 matrices. Among them, the correspondence between the 2 matrices and the 2 types of driving channels can include (1) matrix #1 is determined according to the number of driving channels required for driving channel #1 to drive 24 antenna elements (that is, the first driving number is 8), and matrix #2 is determined according to the number of driving channels required for driving channel #2 to drive 24 antenna elements (that is, the first driving number is 4); or, (2) matrix #1 is determined according to the number of driving channels required for driving channel #2 to drive 24 antenna elements (that is, the first driving number is 4), and matrix #2 is determined according to the number of driving channels required for driving channel #1 to drive 24 antenna elements (that is, the first driving number is 8). Therefore, the two matrices included in the first matrix set are P4 and P8 respectively. In other words, the first type of beam is determined according to P 10 , P4 and P8 determined.

[0362] For the convenience of description, the matrix determined by the number of driving channels required for driving channel #1 to drive 24 antenna elements (i.e., the first driving number is 8) is called the first sub-matrix, and the matrix determined by the number of driving channels required for driving channel #2 to drive 24 antenna elements (i.e., the first driving number is 4) is called the second sub-matrix as an example.

[0363] Optionally, the first beam in the first type of beam is determined based on a first vector and a first vector set, the first vector is a column vector in a fourth matrix, the first vector set includes a column vector in each of X matrices, and the first beam is one of the beams in the first type of beam.

[0364] Optionally, the number of beams of the first type of beam is equal to the product of the number of columns of the second antenna array and the second drive number, and the second drive number is the drive channel with the largest number of drive antenna arrays among the X-type drive channels, and is the number of drive channels required to drive the first number of antenna arrays.

[0365] For example, taking the second antenna array having 10 columns, X having a value of 2, and driving channel #1 being able to drive 3 antenna elements and driving channel #2 being able to drive 6 antenna elements, the second driving quantity is the number of driving channels required for driving channel #2 to drive 24 antenna elements (i.e., the second driving quantity is 4), and therefore the number of beams of the first type of beam is 40.

[0366] For example, the fourth matrix is ​​P 10 , the first matrix set includes two matrices P4 and P8, for example, the weight corresponding to the first beam can satisfy the following relationship (21):

[0367]

[0368] Where, e = 1, 2, ... 40;

[0369] f = 1, 2, ... 10;

[0370] g = 1, 2, 3, 4;

[0371] h = 1, 2, ... 8;

[0372] Among them, in relation (21), are the first to second elements of the f-th column in the fourth matrix; are the 3rd to 8th elements of the fth column in the fourth matrix; are the 9th to 10th elements of the fth column in the fourth matrix; is the f-th column vector of the second submatrix; is the h-th column vector of the first submatrix; is the weight corresponding to the first beam e, from the first column of antenna elements to the second column of antenna elements in the second antenna array (or the driving channel driving the first column of antenna elements to the second column of antenna elements), is the weight corresponding to the third to eighth columns of antenna arrays in the second antenna array (or the driving channel driving the third to eighth columns of antenna arrays) in the weight corresponding to the first beam e, is the weight corresponding to the ninth to tenth columns of antenna elements in the second antenna array (or the driving channel driving the ninth to tenth columns of antenna elements) in the weight corresponding to the first beam e.

[0373] It can be understood that in relation (21), the above and One-to-one correspondence, that is, different values ​​of g correspond to a unique h. In other words, in the above relationship (21), in fact Only four of the column vectors participate in the determination of the first beam e.

[0374] As another example, when I is greater than 1, the Ith type beam in the Xth type beam is determined based on the third matrix, the number of columns of the second antenna array, and the driving channel corresponding to the Ith type beam, including: the Ith type beam is determined based on the fifth matrix and the second matrix set, and the second matrix set includes X-I+1 matrices.

[0375] Among them, the fifth matrix is ​​determined based on the third matrix and the first difference, the first difference is the difference between the number of columns of the second antenna array and the first number of columns, the first number of columns is the number of columns occupied by the antenna arrays driven by the I-1 type driving channel in the second antenna array, and the I-1 type driving channel is the first I-1 type driving channel with the most driven antenna arrays among the X type driving channels.

[0376] The Yth matrix among the X-I+1 matrices is determined according to a preset matrix and a third driving quantity, the third driving quantity is the number of driving channels required for the Yth driving channel in the X-I+1 driving channels to drive the first number of antenna arrays, the X-I+1 driving channels are other driving channels in the X driving channels except the I-1 driving channels, the Yth driving channels are one of the driving channels in the X-I+1 driving channels, the first quantity is equal to the number of rows of the second antenna array, Y is a positive integer, and Y is less than or equal to X-I+1.

[0377] For example, the second antenna array is Figure 2 Taking the antenna array shown as an example, that is, the second antenna array is an antenna array with 24 rows and 10 columns, the value of X is 2, and the X-type driving channels include driving channel #1 and driving channel #2. Driving channel #1 can drive 3 antenna arrays, and driving channel #2 can drive 6 antenna arrays. The antenna arrays driven by driving channel #1 are located in the 3rd to 8th columns of the second antenna array, and the antenna arrays driven by driving channel #2 are located in the 1st, 2nd, 9th, and 10th columns of the second antenna array.

[0378] At this time, the I-1 type driving channel is the type of driving channel that drives the most antenna arrays among the two types of driving channels (driving channel #1 and driving channel #2), so the I-1 type driving channel is driving channel #2, and the first column number is the number of columns occupied by the antenna array driven by driving channel #2 in the second antenna array, so the first column number is 4, and the first difference is 6. Therefore, the fifth matrix is ​​P6.

[0379] The second matrix set includes a matrix. Since the X-I+1 type driving channel is the other driving channels in the X type driving channel except the I-1 type driving channel, the X-I+1 type driving channel is driving channel #1, that is, the Y type driving channel is also driving channel #1, so the third driving quantity is 8. Therefore, the second matrix set includes a matrix P8. In other words, the second type of beam is determined according to P6 and P8. Optionally, the number of beams of the I type beam is equal to the product of the first difference and the second difference, and the second difference is the difference between the fourth driving quantity and the fifth driving quantity. Among them, the fourth driving quantity is the driving channel with the largest number of driving antennas in the X-I+1 type driving channel, which is the number of driving channels required to drive the first number of antenna arrays, and the fifth driving quantity is the driving channel with the smallest number of driving antenna arrays in the I-1 type driving channel, which is the number of driving channels required to drive the first number of antenna arrays.

[0380] For example, taking the second antenna array having 10 columns, X being 2, and driving channel #1 being able to drive 3 antenna elements, and driving channel #2 being able to drive 6 antenna elements as an example, the fourth driving quantity is the number of driving channels required for driving channel #1 to drive 24 antenna elements (i.e., the fourth driving quantity is 8), and the fifth driving quantity is the number of driving channels required for driving channel #2 to drive 24 antenna elements (i.e., the fifth driving quantity is 4). Therefore, the second difference is 4, and the number of beams of the second type of beam is 24.

[0381] Optionally, the second beam in the first type of beam is determined based on a second vector and a second vector set, the second vector is a column vector in a fifth matrix, the second vector set includes a column vector in each of X-I+1 matrices, and the second beam is one of the beams in the first type of beam.

[0382] Exemplarily, taking the fifth matrix as P6 and the one matrix included in the second matrix set as P8 as an example, the second beam can satisfy the following relationship (22):

[0383]

[0384] Where, q = 1, 2, ... 24;

[0385] s=1,2,…6;

[0386] h = 1, 2, ... 8;

[0387] Among them, in relationship (22), among the weights corresponding to the first beam q, the weights corresponding to the first column of antenna elements to the second column of antenna elements in the second antenna array (or the driving channel driving the first column of antenna elements to the second column of antenna elements), and the weights corresponding to the ninth column of antenna elements to the tenth column of antenna elements (or the driving channel driving the ninth column of antenna elements to the tenth column of antenna elements) are all 0, and therefore are all represented by Kron(0,0).

[0388] is the sth column vector in the fifth matrix; is the h-th column vector of the first submatrix; are weights corresponding to the third to eighth columns of antenna elements in the second antenna array (or driving channels driving the third to eighth columns of antenna elements).

[0389] It is understandable that due to Only four of the column vectors participate in the determination of the first beam e, so in relation (20), use The remaining 4 column vectors that did not participate in the first beam determination are used to determine the second beam q.

[0390] For example, in the second antenna array, Fig.17 In the case shown in (a), it can be seen from the above that it corresponds to 40 first beams and 24 second beams, that is, Fig.17 The beam shown in (b) in FIG. 1 ; wherein, from the relevant description of the above relationship (21), it can be seen that Only four of the column vectors are involved in the determination of the first beam. At this time, for the driving channel, it can be considered that all antenna elements in the second antenna array are driven by driving channel #1, that is, Fig.17 As shown in (f) in FIG. 1 , 40 first beams are determined according to the above relationship (21), as shown in FIG. Fig.17 As shown in (e);

[0391] From the above description of relation (22), we can see that The remaining 4 columns of vectors that did not participate in the determination of the first beam participate in the determination of the second beam. At this time, for the driving channel, it can be considered that the weights of the 1st, 2nd, 9th, and 10th columns of antenna arrays in the second antenna array corresponding to the second beam are 0. At this time, it can be considered that the 1st, 2nd, 9th, and 10th columns of antenna arrays in the second antenna array do not exist, that is, Fig.17 As shown in (d) in FIG. , 24 second beams are determined according to the above relationship (22), as shown in FIG. Fig.17 As shown in (c) in .

[0392] In another possible implementation form, when the multiple antenna arrays in the second antenna array are non-uniformly distributed, the third matrix is ​​determined according to the preset matrix. That is, the multiple antenna arrays in the second antenna array are located on multiple antenna panels. And the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays in the second antenna array is different from the distance between the second adjacent antenna arrays.

[0393] For example, the implementation of the first adjacent antenna element and the second adjacent antenna element can refer to the above Figure 7 The relevant description in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0394] Exemplarily, in this possible implementation form, the value of N can be the number of rows or columns of the antenna array in any one of the multiple antenna panels. That is, the preset matrix indicates the matrix corresponding to the antennas of the same polarization direction in any row and / or any column in a single antenna panel. Correspondingly, the third matrix indicates the matrix corresponding to the antennas of the same polarization direction in any row and / or any column in the second antenna array. For the convenience of description, the following description is taken as an example in which the preset matrix indicates the matrix corresponding to the antennas of the same polarization direction in the first row and / or the first column in a single antenna panel, and the third matrix indicates the matrix corresponding to the antennas of the same polarization direction in the first row and / or the first column in the second antenna array.

[0395] Exemplarily, the third matrix can be implemented based on the following three situations:

[0396] Case 1: The plurality of antenna panels are equally spaced in the horizontal direction. That is, adjacent antenna panels in the plurality of antenna panels are adjacent in the horizontal direction.

[0397] Optionally, in the following case, the third matrix is ​​determined based on a preset matrix and a phase offset of antenna panels other than the first antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels relative to the first antenna panel.

[0398] Exemplarily, at this time, the preset matrix indicates the matrix corresponding to the antennas of the same polarization direction in the first row of a single antenna panel; the third matrix indicates the matrix corresponding to the antennas of the same polarization direction in the first row of the second antenna array. That is, the preset matrix in the first case is the matrix corresponding to the first group of antennas in the first scenario; the third matrix in the first case is the matrix corresponding to the second group of antennas in the first scenario. Specifically, the implementation of the preset matrix and the third matrix in the first case can refer to the relevant description in the first scenario above, and will not be repeated here.

[0399] Exemplarily, in the following case, the implementation of the I beam is the same as the implementation of the I beam in one of the possible implementations mentioned above. For details, please refer to the relevant description in the one of the possible implementations mentioned above, which will not be repeated here.

[0400] Case 2: Multiple antenna panels are distributed at equal intervals in the vertical direction. That is, adjacent antenna panels in the multiple antenna panels are adjacent in the vertical direction.

[0401] Optionally, in case 2, the third matrix is ​​determined based on a preset matrix and a phase offset of antenna panels other than the third antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels relative to the third antenna panel.

[0402] Exemplarily, at this time, the preset matrix indicates the matrix corresponding to the antennas of the same polarization direction in the first column of a single antenna panel; the third matrix indicates the matrix corresponding to the antennas of the same polarization direction in the first column of the second antenna array. That is, the preset matrix under situation 2 is the matrix corresponding to the fourth group of antennas in scenario 2; the third matrix under situation 2 is the matrix corresponding to the fifth group of antennas in scenario 2. Specifically, the implementation of the preset matrix and the third matrix under situation 2 can refer to the relevant description in the above scenario 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0403] Exemplarily, in case 2, the implementation of the first beam is the same as the implementation of the first beam in one of the possible implementations described above. For details, please refer to the relevant description in one of the possible implementations described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0404] Case 3: Antenna panels at the same horizontal position among the multiple antenna panels are evenly spaced, and antenna panels at the same vertical position are evenly spaced.

[0405] Optionally, in case three, the preset matrix includes a first preset matrix and a second preset matrix. The first preset matrix indicates the matrix corresponding to the antennas of the first row with the same polarization direction in a single antenna panel; the second preset matrix indicates the matrix corresponding to the antennas of the first column with the same polarization direction in a single antenna panel.

[0406] The third matrix includes a third matrix #1 and a third matrix #2. The third matrix #1 is determined according to the first preset matrix, and the third matrix #1 indicates the matrix corresponding to the antennas in the first row of the second antenna array with the same polarization direction. The third matrix #2 is determined according to the second preset matrix, and the third matrix #2 indicates the matrix corresponding to the antennas in the first column of the second antenna array with the same polarization direction.

[0407] Specifically, the implementation of the preset matrix and the third matrix in case three can refer to the relevant descriptions in the above cases one and two, which will not be repeated here.

[0408] Optionally, in a possible implementation form, the fourth indication information is also used to indicate the width of an antenna panel in a plurality of antenna panels and the distance between first adjacent antenna elements. Alternatively, the width of an antenna panel in a plurality of antenna panels and the distance between first adjacent antenna elements may also be indicated by other indication information except the fourth indication information.

[0409] Exemplarily, under this optional scheme, the implementation of the indication information for indicating the width of the antenna panels in multiple antenna panels and the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays is similar to the implementation of the above-mentioned first indication information. For details, please refer to the relevant description of the above-mentioned first indication information, which will not be repeated here.

[0410] Exemplarily, in case three, the first type of beam includes the following two implementation methods:

[0411] As an example, when I is equal to 1, the Ith type of beam in the Xth type of beam is determined according to the third matrix, the number of columns of the second antenna array, and the driving channel corresponding to the Ith type of beam, including: the first type of beam is determined according to the sixth matrix and the third matrix set, the third matrix set includes X matrices, wherein the fifth matrix is ​​determined according to the third matrix #1 and the number of rows of the second antenna array;

[0412] The Zth matrix among the X matrices is determined according to the third matrix #2 and the first driving quantity, the first driving quantity is the number of driving channels required by the Zth type of driving channels among the X types of driving channels to drive the first number of antenna arrays, the Zth type of driving channels is one type of driving channels among the X types of driving channels, the first quantity is equal to the number of rows of the second antenna array, Z is a positive integer, and Z is less than or equal to X.

[0413] As an example, when I is greater than 1, the Ith type beam in the Xth type beam is determined based on the third matrix, the number of columns of the second antenna array, and the driving channel corresponding to the Ith type beam, including: the Ith type beam is determined based on the seventh matrix and the fourth matrix set, and the fourth matrix set includes X-I+1 matrices.

[0414] Among them, the fifth matrix is ​​determined based on the third matrix #1 and the first difference, the first difference is the difference between the number of columns of the second antenna array and the first number of columns, the first number of columns is the number of columns occupied by the antenna arrays driven by the I-1 type driving channel in the second antenna array, and the I-1 type driving channel is the first I-1 type driving channel with the most driven antenna arrays among the X type driving channels.

[0415] The Yth matrix among the X-I+1 matrices is determined according to the third matrix #2 and the third driving quantity, the third driving quantity is the number of driving channels required for the Yth driving channel in the X-I+1 driving channels to drive the first number of antenna arrays, the X-I+1 driving channels are other driving channels in the X driving channels except the I-1 driving channels, the Yth driving channels are one type of driving channels in the X-I+1 driving channels, the first quantity is equal to the number of rows of the second antenna array, Y is a positive integer, and Y is less than or equal to X-I+1.

[0416] Exemplarily, the implementation of the I beam in case three is similar to the implementation of the I beam in the above-mentioned one possible implementation method. For details, please refer to the relevant description in the above-mentioned one possible implementation method, which will not be repeated here.

[0417] The above only takes the second antenna array as Figure 2 The antenna array shown in the figure is used as an example. In fact, the second antenna array can also be used for Figure 2 For example, the value of X may be other values ​​other than 2, the number of rows of the second antenna array may be other values ​​other than 24, and similarly, the number of columns of the second antenna array may be other values ​​other than 10, and the type of driving channel may be other types other than the above exceptions, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0418] It can be understood that the antenna array and driving channel described in the embodiments of the present application can also be expressed as an antenna port (antenna port), or can also be expressed as a port (port), without limitation.

[0419] It should be noted that the matrix involved in the above relationship in the embodiment of the present application is To represent the matrix P w The matrix P in w For example, in the above relation (21) is the fth column vector of the second submatrix, is the h-th column vector of the first submatrix, etc. In fact, the matrix It can also be used to represent the matrix P w The matrix P in w The vth row vector of , at this time, the relationship (21) is the fth row vector of the second submatrix, is the h-th row vector of the first submatrix. The above only takes the uneven matrix in relation (21) as an example. In fact, any matrix in relation (1) to relation (22) Both can represent the matrix P w The matrix P in w The v-th row vector of , will not be repeated here.

[0420] It can be understood that in each of the above embodiments, the methods and / or steps implemented by the first device (i.e., terminal device or network device) can also be implemented by components that can be used for any one of the first devices (e.g., processors, chips, chip systems, circuits, logic modules, or software such as chips or circuits).

[0421] The above mainly introduces the solutions provided by the present application. Correspondingly, the present application also provides a communication device, which is used to implement the above various methods.

[0422] The communication device may be the first device in the method embodiment, or a device including the first device, or a component that can be used for any of the first devices, such as a chip or a chip system.

[0423] It is understandable that, in order to realize the above functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0424] The embodiment of the present application can divide the functional modules of the communication device according to the above method embodiment. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0425] Fig.18 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 180 is shown. The communication device 180 includes a processing module 1801 and a transceiver module 1802. The communication device 180 can be used to implement the function of the first device mentioned above.

[0426] In some embodiments, the communication device 180 may further include a storage module ( Fig.18 ), for storing program instructions and data.

[0427] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1802 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit for implementing a sending and / or receiving function. The transceiver module 1802 may be composed of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver or a communication interface.

[0428] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1802 may include a receiving module and a sending module, which are respectively used to execute the receiving and sending steps performed by the above-mentioned first device in the above-mentioned method embodiment, and / or used to support other processes of the technology described herein; the processing module 1801 may be used to execute the processing steps (such as determination, generation, etc.) performed by the above-mentioned first device in the above-mentioned method embodiment, and / or used to support other processes of the technology described herein.

[0429] When the communication device 180 is used to implement the function of the first device:

[0430] In some embodiments, processing module 1801 is used to obtain downlink channel state information; processing module 1801 is also used to determine a first precoding matrix from a first matrix corresponding to the first antenna array based on the downlink channel state information, the first matrix including multiple precoding matrices, multiple antenna arrays in the first antenna array are located at multiple antenna panels, the distance between first adjacent antenna arrays in the multiple antenna arrays is different from the distance between second adjacent antenna arrays, the first adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays on adjacent antenna panels in the multiple antenna panels, the second adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays on the same antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels, and the first matrix is ​​determined based on the width of the antenna panels in the multiple antenna panels and the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays.

[0431] Optionally, the transceiver module 1802 is used to receive first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate the width of the antenna panel and the distance between first adjacent antennas; and determine a first matrix corresponding to the first antenna array according to the first indication information.

[0432] Optionally, the transceiver module 1802 is further used to receive second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a first matrix corresponding to the first antenna array.

[0433] Optionally, the first indication information or the second indication information is carried in RRC signaling or MAC-CE signaling.

[0434] Optionally, the transceiver module 1802 is further used to send third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate the first precoding matrix.

[0435] Optionally, the first adjacent antenna array includes a first antenna array and a second antenna array, the first antenna array and the second antenna array are located on different antenna panels, and the first antenna array and the second antenna array are adjacent to each other.

[0436] Optionally, the width of an antenna panel in the plurality of antenna panels is determined based on the distance between second adjacent antenna elements and the number of rows or columns of antenna elements on the antenna panel.

[0437] Optionally, when adjacent antenna panels are adjacent in the horizontal direction, the width of an antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels is the width of the antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels in the horizontal direction, and the first adjacent antenna array is the adjacent antenna array of the adjacent antenna panels in the horizontal direction.

[0438] Optionally, the first matrix corresponding to the first antenna array is determined based on a preset matrix, the number of rows of the first antenna array, and the phase offset of other antenna panels except the first antenna panel relative to the first antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels, wherein the first antenna panel is a preset first reference antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels; the preset matrix is ​​an N-length discrete Fourier transform DFT matrix, the preset matrix is ​​a matrix corresponding to N antennas in the same polarization direction, the distance between adjacent antennas in the N antennas in the same polarization direction is equal to the distance between second adjacent antennas, and N is an integer greater than 1; the phase offset of the second antenna panel in other antenna panels relative to the first antenna panel is determined based on the width of the antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels and the distance between third adjacent antenna arrays, the third adjacent antenna array includes the distance between the two antenna arrays closest to each other in the first antenna panel and the second antenna panel, respectively, the second antenna panel is any antenna panel among the other antenna panels, and the distance between third adjacent antenna arrays is determined based on the distance between the first adjacent antennas.

[0439] Optionally, when adjacent antenna panels are adjacent in the vertical direction, the width of an antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels is the width of the antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels in the vertical direction, and the first adjacent antenna is an adjacent antenna of the adjacent antenna panels in the vertical direction.

[0440] Optionally, the first matrix corresponding to the first antenna array is determined based on a preset matrix, the number of columns of the first antenna array, and the phase offset of other antenna panels except the third antenna panel among multiple antenna panels relative to the third antenna panel, wherein the third antenna panel is a second reference antenna panel preset among the multiple antenna panels; the preset matrix is ​​an N-length discrete Fourier transform DFT matrix, the preset matrix is ​​a matrix corresponding to N antennas in the same polarization direction, the distance between adjacent antennas among the N antennas in the same polarization direction is equal to the distance between second adjacent antennas, and N is an integer greater than 1; the phase offset of the fourth antenna panel among other antenna panels relative to the third antenna panel is determined based on the width of the antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels and the distance between fourth adjacent antenna arrays, the fourth adjacent antenna array includes two antennas that are closest to each other and are respectively located in the third antenna panel and the fourth antenna panel, the fourth antenna panel is any antenna panel among the other antenna panels, and the distance between fourth adjacent antenna arrays is determined based on the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays.

[0441] Optionally, each precoding matrix in the multiple precoding matrices indicates a group of beams respectively; accordingly, the first precoding matrix is ​​used to indicate a first group of beams in the multiple groups of beams indicated by the multiple precoding matrices.

[0442] In other embodiments, the processing module 1801 is used to obtain downlink channel state information; the processing module 1801 is also used to determine a second precoding matrix from a second matrix corresponding to the second antenna array according to the downlink channel state information, the second matrix includes multiple precoding matrices, and the multiple precoding matrices correspond to X-type beams, where X is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0443] Optionally, the transceiver module 1802 is configured to receive fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate a driving relationship between the X-type driving channel and multiple antenna elements in the second antenna array; and determine a second matrix corresponding to the second antenna array according to the second indication information.

[0444] Optionally, the fourth indication information is used to indicate the number of columns occupied by antenna arrays driven by X-type driving channels in the second antenna array, and the number of channels required for the X-type driving channels to drive a first number of antenna arrays, where the first number is equal to the number of rows of the second antenna array.

[0445] Optionally, the fourth indication information is also used to indicate the width of an antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels and the distance between first adjacent antenna arrays, where the first adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays on adjacent antenna panels among the multiple antenna panels.

[0446] Optionally, the transceiver module 1802 is further used to receive fifth indication information, where the fifth indication information is used to indicate a second matrix corresponding to the second antenna array.

[0447] Optionally, the fourth indication information or the fifth indication information is carried in RRC signaling or MAC-CE signaling.

[0448] Optionally, the transceiver module 1802 is further used to send sixth indication information, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate the second precoding matrix.

[0449] Optionally, multiple antenna elements in the second antenna array are driven by X-type driving channels, and the X-type driving channels respectively drive different numbers of antenna elements.

[0450] Optionally, the Ith type beam in the Xth type beam is determined based on a third matrix, the number of columns of the second antenna array, and a driving channel corresponding to the Ith type beam, where I is a positive integer and I is less than or equal to X, wherein the third matrix is ​​determined based on a preset matrix, the preset matrix is ​​an N-length discrete Fourier transform DFT matrix, the preset matrix indicates a matrix corresponding to N antennas in the same polarization direction, the distance between adjacent antennas in the N antennas in the same polarization direction is equal to the distance between adjacent antennas located on the same antenna panel in the second antenna array, and N is greater than or equal to the number of columns and / or rows of the second antenna array.

[0451] Optionally, when multiple antenna arrays in the second antenna array are located on the same antenna panel, the third matrix is ​​a preset matrix; or, when multiple antenna arrays in the second antenna array are located on multiple antenna panels and the distances between adjacent antenna arrays in the multiple antenna arrays are equal, the third matrix is ​​a preset matrix.

[0452] Optionally, multiple antenna arrays within the second antenna array are located on multiple antenna panels, and the distance between first adjacent antenna arrays in the multiple antenna panels is different from the distance between second adjacent antenna arrays, the first adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays on adjacent antenna panels in the multiple antenna panels, and the second adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays on the same antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels: the third matrix is ​​determined based on a preset matrix and a phase offset of other antenna panels other than the first antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels relative to the first antenna panel, wherein the first antenna panel is a first reference antenna panel preset in the multiple antenna panels; the phase offset of the second antenna panel in the other antenna panels relative to the first antenna panel is determined based on the width of the antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels and the distance between the third adjacent antenna arrays, the third adjacent antenna array includes the distance between the two closest antenna arrays located in the first antenna panel and the second antenna panel respectively, the second antenna panel is any antenna panel among the other antenna panels, and the distance between the third adjacent antenna arrays is determined based on the distance between the first adjacent antennas.

[0453] Optionally, multiple antenna arrays in the second antenna array are located on multiple antenna panels, and the distance between first adjacent antenna arrays in the multiple antenna panels is different from the distance between second adjacent antenna arrays, the first adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays on adjacent antenna panels in the multiple antenna panels, and the second adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays on the same antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels: the third matrix is ​​determined based on a preset matrix and a phase offset of other antenna panels in the multiple antenna panels except the third antenna panel relative to the third antenna panel; wherein the third antenna panel is a preset second reference antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels; the preset matrix is ​​an N-length discrete Fourier transform D FT matrix, the preset matrix is ​​a matrix corresponding to N antennas in the same polarization direction, the distance between adjacent antennas in the N antennas in the same polarization direction is equal to the distance between second adjacent antennas, and N is an integer greater than 1; the phase offset of the fourth antenna panel relative to the third antenna panel in other antenna panels is determined according to the width of the antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels and the distance between fourth adjacent antenna arrays, the fourth adjacent antenna array includes two antennas that are closest to each other and are located in the third antenna panel and the fourth antenna panel respectively, the fourth antenna panel is any antenna panel in the other antenna panels, and the distance between fourth adjacent antenna arrays is determined based on the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays.

[0454] Optionally, when I is equal to 1, the Ith type of beam in the X-type beams is determined according to the third matrix, the number of columns of the second antenna array, and the driving channel corresponding to the Ith type of beam, including: the first type of beam is determined according to the fourth matrix and the first matrix set, the first matrix set includes X matrices, wherein the fourth matrix is ​​determined according to the third matrix and the number of columns of the second antenna array; the Zth matrix in the X matrices is determined according to a preset matrix and a first driving quantity, the first driving quantity is the number of driving channels required for the Zth type of driving channel in the X-type driving channels to drive the first number of antenna arrays, the Zth type of driving channel is one type of driving channel in the X-type driving channels, the first quantity is equal to the number of rows of the second antenna array, Z is a positive integer, and Z is less than or equal to X.

[0455] Optionally, when I is equal to 1, the Ith type of beam in the X-type beams is determined according to the third matrix, the number of columns of the second antenna array, and the driving channel corresponding to the Ith type of beam, including: the first type of beam is determined according to the sixth matrix and the third matrix set, the third matrix set includes X matrices, wherein the fifth matrix is ​​determined according to the third matrix #1 and the number of rows of the second antenna array; the Zth matrix in the X matrices is determined according to the third matrix #2 and the first driving number, the first driving number is the number of driving channels required for the Zth type of driving channel in the X-type driving channels to drive the first number of antenna elements, the Zth type of driving channel is one type of driving channel in the X-type driving channels, the first number is equal to the number of rows of the second antenna array, Z is a positive integer, and Z is less than or equal to X.

[0456] Optionally, the first beam in the first type of beam is determined based on a first vector and a first vector set, the first vector is a column-row vector in a fourth matrix, the first vector set includes a column vector in each of X matrices, and the first beam is one of the beams in the first type of beam.

[0457] Optionally, the number of beams of the first type of beam is equal to the product of the number of columns of the second antenna array and the second drive number, and the second drive number is the drive channel with the largest number of drive antenna arrays among the X-type drive channels, and is the number of drive channels required to drive the first number of antenna arrays.

[0458] Optionally, when I is greater than 1, the Ith type of beam in the X-type beam is determined according to the third matrix, the number of columns of the second antenna array, and the driving channel corresponding to the Ith type of beam, including: the Ith type of beam is determined according to the fifth matrix and the second matrix set, the second matrix set includes X-I+1 matrices, wherein the fifth matrix is ​​determined according to the third matrix and the first difference, the first difference is the difference between the number of columns of the second antenna array and the first number of columns, the first number of columns is the number of columns occupied by the antenna array driven by the I-1 type driving channel in the second antenna array, and the I-1 type driving channel is the X-type driving channel The first I-1 driving channels in the X-I+1 matrices drive the most antenna arrays; the Y-th matrix in the X-I+1 matrices is determined according to the preset matrix and the third driving quantity, the third driving quantity is the number of driving channels required for the Y-th driving channels in the X-I+1 driving channels to drive the first number of antenna arrays, the X-I+1 driving channels are the other driving channels in the X driving channels except the I-1 driving channels, the Y-th driving channels are one of the driving channels in the X-I+1 driving channels, the first quantity is equal to the number of rows of the second antenna array, Y is a positive integer, and Y is less than or equal to X-I+1.

[0459] Optionally, when I is greater than 1, the I-th type of beam in the X-type beam is determined according to the third matrix, the number of columns of the second antenna array, and the driving channel corresponding to the I-th type of beam, including: the I-th type of beam is determined according to the seventh matrix and the fourth matrix set, and the fourth matrix set includes X-I+1 matrices. Among them, the fifth matrix is ​​determined according to the third matrix #1 and the first difference, the first difference is the difference between the number of columns of the second antenna array and the first number of columns, the first number of columns is the number of columns occupied by the antenna array driven by the I-1-type driving channel in the second antenna array, and the I-1-type driving channel is the first I-1-type driving channel with the most driven antenna arrays in the X-type driving channel. The Yth matrix among the X-I+1 matrices is determined according to the third matrix #2 and the third driving quantity, the third driving quantity is the number of driving channels required for the Yth driving channel in the X-I+1 driving channels to drive the first number of antenna arrays, the X-I+1 driving channels are other driving channels in the X driving channels except the I-1 driving channels, the Yth driving channels are one type of driving channels in the X-I+1 driving channels, the first quantity is equal to the number of rows of the second antenna array, Y is a positive integer, and Y is less than or equal to X-I+1.

[0460] Optionally, the second beam in the first type of beam is determined based on a second vector and a second vector set, the second vector is a column vector in a fifth matrix, the second vector set includes a column vector in each of X-I+1 matrices, and the second beam is one of the beams in the first type of beam.

[0461] Optionally, the number of beams of the Ith type beam is equal to the product of the first difference and the second difference, and the second difference is the difference between the fourth drive number and the fifth drive number, wherein the fourth drive number is the drive channel with the largest number of drive antennas among the X-I+1 type drive channels, and is the number of drive channels required to drive the first number of antenna arrays, and the fifth drive number is the drive channel with the smallest number of drive antenna arrays among the I-1 type drive channels, and is the number of drive channels required to drive the first number of antenna arrays.

[0462] Optionally, the driving relationship between the multiple antenna elements in the second antenna array includes: distribution of the antenna elements driven by the X-type driving channels in the second antenna array.

[0463] Optionally, each precoding matrix in the multiple precoding matrices indicates a group of beams respectively; accordingly, the second precoding matrix is ​​used to indicate a second group of beams in the multiple groups of beams indicated by the multiple precoding matrices, and the second group of beams includes at least one type of beams in the X type beams.

[0464] In combination with the above two embodiments, optionally, the first reference antenna panel is the leftmost or rightmost antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels.

[0465] In combination with the above two embodiments, optionally, when the distance between third adjacent antenna arrays is equal to the distance between first adjacent antenna arrays, the phase offset of the second antenna panel relative to the first antenna panel is determined based on the phase relationship between the second antenna panel and the first antenna panel, and the phase relationship between the second antenna panel and the first antenna panel is determined based on the horizontal width of the antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels and the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays.

[0466] In combination with the above two embodiments, optionally, the phase relationship between the second antenna panel and the first antenna panel satisfies the following relationship:

[0467]

[0468] in, represents the phase relationship between the second antenna panel and the first antenna panel, L N represents the horizontal width of the antenna panel in the plurality of antenna panels, D H represents the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays, N represents the number of columns of the antenna array in each antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels, and D A Indicates the distance between the second adjacent antenna elements.

[0469] In combination with the above two embodiments, optionally, the second reference antenna panel is the uppermost or lowermost antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels.

[0470] In combination with the above two embodiments, optionally, when the distance between fourth adjacent antenna arrays is equal to the distance between first adjacent antenna arrays, the phase offset of the fourth antenna panel relative to the third antenna panel is determined based on the phase relationship between the fourth antenna panel and the third antenna panel, and the phase relationship between the fourth antenna panel and the third antenna panel is determined based on the width of the antenna panel in the vertical direction among the multiple antenna panels and the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays.

[0471] In combination with the above two embodiments, optionally, the phase relationship between the fourth antenna panel and the third antenna panel satisfies the following relationship:

[0472]

[0473] in, represents the phase relationship between the fourth antenna panel and the third antenna panel, L M Denotes the width of the antenna panel in the vertical direction among the multiple antenna panels, D V represents the distance between the first adjacent antennas, M represents the number of columns of the antenna array in each antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels, and D A represents the distance between the second adjacent antennas.

[0474] In combination with the above two embodiments, optionally, obtaining downlink channel state information includes: receiving downlink channel reference information; determining downlink channel state information according to the downlink channel reference information;

[0475] In combination with the above two embodiments, optionally, obtaining downlink channel state information includes: receiving uplink channel reference information; and determining downlink channel state information according to the uplink channel reference information.

[0476] In combination with the above two embodiments, optionally, the transceiver module 1802 is further used to receive downlink channel reference information; the processing module 1801 is further used to determine downlink channel state information according to the downlink channel reference information;

[0477] In combination with the above two embodiments, optionally, the transceiver module 1802 is further used to receive uplink channel reference information; the processing module 1801 is further used to determine downlink channel state information according to the uplink channel reference information.

[0478] Among them, all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0479] In the present application, the communication device 180 may be presented in the form of dividing various functional modules in an integrated manner. The "module" here may refer to a specific application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a circuit, a processor and a memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions.

[0480] In some embodiments, when Fig.18 When the communication device 180 is a chip or a chip system, the function / implementation process of the transceiver module 1802 can be implemented through the input and output interface (or communication interface) of the chip or the chip system, and the function / implementation process of the processing module 1801 can be implemented through the processor (or processing circuit) of the chip or the chip system.

[0481] Since the communication device 180 provided in this embodiment can execute the above method, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0482] As a possible product form, the first device described in the embodiment of the present application can also be implemented using the following: one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), programmable logic devices (PLD), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuits, or any combination of circuits that can perform the various functions described throughout the present application.

[0483] As another possible product form, the first device of the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a general bus architecture. For ease of explanation, see Fig.19 , Fig.19 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1900 provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the communication device 1900 includes a processor 1901 and a transceiver 1902. The communication device 1900 may be a first device, or a chip or chip system therein. Fig.19 Only the main components of the communication device 1900 are shown. In addition to the processor 1901 and the transceiver 1902, the communication device may further include a memory 1903 and an input and output device (not shown in the figure).

[0484] Optionally, the processor 1901 is mainly used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and to control the entire communication device, execute the software program, and process the data of the software program. The memory 1903 is mainly used to store the software program and data. The transceiver 1902 may include a radio frequency circuit and an antenna. The radio frequency circuit is mainly used for converting baseband signals and radio frequency signals and processing radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly used to transmit and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input and output devices, such as touch screens, display screens, keyboards, etc., are mainly used to receive data input by users and output data to users.

[0485] Optionally, the processor 1901, the transceiver 1902, and the memory 1903 may be connected via a communication bus.

[0486] When the communication device is turned on, the processor 1901 can read the software program in the memory 1903, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be sent wirelessly, the processor 1901 performs baseband processing on the data to be sent, and outputs the baseband signal to the RF circuit. The RF circuit performs RF processing on the baseband signal and then sends the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1901. The processor 1901 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0487] In another implementation, the RF circuit and antenna may be arranged independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the RF circuit and antenna may be arranged remotely from the communication device.

[0488] In some embodiments, in terms of hardware implementation, those skilled in the art may imagine that the communication device 180 may be implemented as Fig.19 The form of the communication device 1900 is shown.

[0489] As an example, Fig.18 The function / implementation process of the processing module 1801 in Fig.19 The processor 1901 in the communication device 1900 shown calls the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 1903 to implement. Fig.18 The function / implementation process of the transceiver module 1802 can be Fig.19 The communication device 1900 is implemented by the transceiver 1902 shown in the figure.

[0490] As another possible product form, the first device in this application can be used Fig.18 The structure shown, or including Fig. 20 Parts shown. Fig. 20 A schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device 2000 provided in the present application, wherein the communication device 2000 may be a first device, or a chip or a system on chip in the first device.

[0491] like Fig. 20 As shown, the communication device 2000 includes at least one processor 2001 and at least one communication interface ( Fig. 20 The communication device 2000 is merely exemplary and is described by taking a communication interface 2004 and a processor 2001 as an example. Optionally, the communication device 2000 may further include a communication bus 2002 and a memory 2003.

[0492] The processor 2001 may be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), or any combination thereof. The processor 2001 may also be other devices with processing functions, such as circuits, devices, or software modules, without limitation.

[0493] The communication bus 2002 is used to connect different components in the communication device 2000 so that the different components can communicate. The communication bus 2002 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Fig. 20 Only one thick line is used in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0494] The communication interface 2004 is used to communicate with other devices or communication networks. Exemplarily, the communication interface 2004 can be a module, a circuit, a transceiver or any device capable of implementing communication. Optionally, the communication interface 2004 can also be an input and output interface located in the processor 2001 to implement signal input and signal output of the processor.

[0495] The memory 2003 may be a device with a storage function, used to store instructions and / or data, wherein the instructions may be computer programs.

[0496] Exemplarily, the memory 2003 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and / or instructions, or a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and / or instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, etc., without limitation.

[0497] It should be noted that the memory 2003 may exist independently of the processor 2001, or may be integrated with the processor 2001. The memory 2003 may be located inside the communication device 2000, or may be located outside the communication device 2000, without limitation. The processor 2001 may be used to execute instructions stored in the memory 2003 to implement the methods provided in the following embodiments of the present application.

[0498] As an optional implementation, the communication device 2000 may further include an output device 2005 and an input device 2006. The output device 2005 communicates with the processor 2001 and may display information in a variety of ways. For example, the output device 2005 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector. The input device 2006 communicates with the processor 2001 and may receive user input in a variety of ways. For example, the input device 2006 may be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, or a sensor device.

[0499] In some embodiments, in terms of hardware implementation, those skilled in the art may imagine that the communication device 180 may be implemented as Fig. 20 The form of the communication device 2000 is shown.

[0500] As an example, Fig.18 The function / implementation process of the processing module 1801 in Fig. 20 The processor 2001 in the communication device 2000 shown calls the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 2003 to implement. Fig.18The function / implementation process of the transceiver module 1802 can be Fig. 20 The communication interface 2004 in the communication device 2000 is implemented.

[0501] It should be noted that Fig. 20 The structure shown does not constitute a specific limitation on the first device. For example, in other embodiments of the present application, the first device may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine some components, or split some components, or arrange the components differently. The components shown in the figure may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0502] In some embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, which includes a processor for implementing a method in any of the above method embodiments.

[0503] As a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory. The memory is used to store necessary computer programs and data. The computer program may include instructions, and the processor may call the instructions in the computer program stored in the memory to instruct the communication device to execute the method in any of the above method embodiments. Of course, the memory may not be in the communication device.

[0504] As another possible implementation, the communication device also includes an interface circuit, which is a code / data read / write interface circuit, which is used to receive computer execution instructions (computer execution instructions are stored in a memory, may be read directly from the memory, or may pass through other devices) and transmit them to the processor.

[0505] As another possible implementation manner, the communication device further includes a communication interface, and the communication interface is used to communicate with a module outside the communication device.

[0506] It can be understood that the communication device can be a chip or a chip system. When the communication device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0507] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium on which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a computer, the functions of any of the above method embodiments are implemented.

[0508] The present application also provides a computer program product, which implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments when executed by a computer.

[0509] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, for the sake of convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above may refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0510] It is understood that the systems, devices and methods described in the present application can also be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0511] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, i.e., they may be located in one place, or they may be distributed over multiple network units. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0512] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0513] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode to another website site, computer, server or data center. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or may contain one or more servers, data centers and other data storage devices that can be integrated with the medium. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)), etc. In the embodiment of the present application, the computer may include the aforementioned device.

[0514] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, in the process of implementing the claimed application, those skilled in the art may understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments by viewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "one" or "an" does not exclude multiple situations. A single processor or other unit may implement several functions listed in a claim. Certain measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0515] Although the present application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments thereof, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present application. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the present application as defined by the appended claims, and are deemed to have covered any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present application. Obviously, a person skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Obtain downlink channel status information; According to the downlink channel state information, a first precoding matrix is ​​determined from a first matrix corresponding to the first antenna array, the first matrix including multiple precoding matrices, the multiple antenna arrays within the first antenna array are located at multiple antenna panels, the distance between first adjacent antenna arrays in the multiple antenna arrays is different from the distance between second adjacent antenna arrays, the first adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays on adjacent antenna panels in the multiple antenna panels, the second adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays on the same antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels, and the first matrix is ​​determined based on the width of the antenna panels in the multiple antenna panels and the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first adjacent antenna array includes a first antenna array and a second antenna array. The first antenna array and the second antenna array are located on different antenna panels, and the first antenna array and the second antenna array are adjacent to each other.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The width of an antenna panel in the plurality of antenna panels is determined according to the distance between the second adjacent antenna elements and the number of rows or columns of antenna elements on the antenna panel.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: When the adjacent antenna panels are adjacent in the horizontal direction, the width of the antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels is the width of the antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels in the horizontal direction, and the first adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays of the adjacent antenna panels in the horizontal direction.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first matrix corresponding to the first antenna array is determined according to a preset matrix, the number of rows of the first antenna array, and the phase offset of other antenna panels among the plurality of antenna panels except the first antenna panel relative to the first antenna panel, wherein: The first antenna panel is a first reference antenna panel preset among the multiple antenna panels; The preset matrix is ​​an N-length discrete Fourier transform DFT matrix, the preset matrix is ​​a matrix corresponding to N antennas in the same polarization direction, the distance between adjacent antennas in the N antennas in the same polarization direction is equal to the distance between the second adjacent antennas, and N is an integer greater than 1; The phase offset of the second antenna panel in the other antenna panels relative to the first antenna panel is determined based on the width of the antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels and the distance between third adjacent antenna arrays, the third adjacent antenna array including the distance between the two antenna arrays closest to each other located in the first antenna panel and the second antenna panel respectively, the second antenna panel is any antenna panel among the other antenna panels, and the distance between the third adjacent antenna arrays is determined based on the distance between the first adjacent antennas.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The first reference antenna panel is the leftmost or rightmost antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: When the distance between the third adjacent antenna arrays is equal to the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays, the phase offset of the second antenna panel relative to the first antenna panel is determined based on the phase relationship between the second antenna panel and the first antenna panel, and the phase relationship between the second antenna panel and the first antenna panel is determined based on the horizontal width of the antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels and the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The phase relationship between the second antenna panel and the first antenna panel satisfies the following relationship: in, represents the phase relationship between the second antenna panel and the first antenna panel, L N represents the width of the antenna panel in the horizontal direction of the plurality of antenna panels, D H represents the distance between the first adjacent antenna elements, N represents the number of columns of the antenna array in each antenna panel of the plurality of antenna panels, and D A Represents the distance between the second adjacent antenna elements.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: When the adjacent antenna panels are adjacent in the vertical direction, the width of the antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels is the width of the antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels in the vertical direction, and the first adjacent antenna is the adjacent antenna of the adjacent antenna panels in the vertical direction.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The first matrix corresponding to the first antenna array is determined according to a preset matrix, the number of columns of the first antenna array, and a phase offset of other antenna panels among the plurality of antenna panels except the third antenna panel relative to the third antenna panel, wherein: The third antenna panel is a second reference antenna panel preset in the plurality of antenna panels; The preset matrix is ​​an N-length discrete Fourier transform DFT matrix, the preset matrix is ​​a matrix corresponding to N antennas in the same polarization direction, the distance between adjacent antennas in the N antennas in the same polarization direction is equal to the distance between the second adjacent antennas, and N is an integer greater than 1; The phase offset of the fourth antenna panel among the other antenna panels relative to the third antenna panel is determined based on the width of the antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels and the distance between fourth adjacent antenna arrays. The fourth adjacent antenna array includes two antennas that are closest to each other and are respectively located in the third antenna panel and the fourth antenna panel. The fourth antenna panel is any antenna panel among the other antenna panels. The distance between the fourth adjacent antenna arrays is determined based on the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The second reference antenna panel is the uppermost or lowermost antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that: When the distance between the fourth adjacent antenna arrays is equal to the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays, the phase offset of the fourth antenna panel relative to the third antenna panel is determined based on the phase relationship between the fourth antenna panel and the third antenna panel, and the phase relationship between the fourth antenna panel and the third antenna panel is determined based on the width of the antenna panel in the vertical direction among the multiple antenna panels and the distance between the first adjacent antenna arrays.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The phase relationship between the fourth antenna panel and the third antenna panel satisfies the following relationship: in, represents the phase relationship between the fourth antenna panel and the third antenna panel, L M represents the width of the antenna panel in the plurality of antenna panels in the vertical direction, D V represents the distance between the first adjacent antennas, M represents the number of columns of the antenna array in each antenna panel of the plurality of antenna panels, and D A represents the distance between the second adjacent antennas.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a width of the antenna panel and a distance between the first adjacent antennas; Determine a first matrix corresponding to the first antenna array according to the first indication information.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Second indication information is received, where the second indication information is used to indicate a first matrix corresponding to the first antenna array.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Send third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate the first precoding matrix.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The acquiring of downlink channel state information includes: receiving downlink channel reference information; The downlink channel state information is determined according to the downlink channel reference information.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that: Each precoding matrix in the multiple precoding matrices indicates a group of beams respectively; accordingly, the first precoding matrix is ​​used to indicate a first group of beams in the multiple groups of beams indicated by the multiple precoding matrices.

19. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The acquiring of downlink channel state information includes: receiving uplink channel reference information; The downlink channel state information is determined according to the uplink channel reference information.

20. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Obtain downlink channel status information; According to the downlink channel state information, a second precoding matrix is ​​determined from a second matrix corresponding to the second antenna array, where the second matrix includes a plurality of precoding matrices, and the plurality of precoding matrices correspond to X-type beams, where X is a positive integer greater than 1.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The multiple antenna elements in the second antenna array are driven by X-type driving channels, and the X-type driving channels respectively drive different numbers of antenna elements.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The first type of beam in the X type of beams is determined according to the third matrix, the number of columns of the second antenna array, and the driving channel corresponding to the first type of beam, where I is a positive integer and I is less than or equal to X, wherein, The third matrix is ​​determined based on a preset matrix, which is an N-length discrete Fourier transform DFT matrix. The preset matrix indicates a matrix corresponding to N antennas in the same polarization direction, and the distance between adjacent antennas in the N antennas in the same polarization direction is equal to the distance between adjacent antennas located on the same antenna panel in the second antenna array, and N is greater than or equal to the number of columns and / or rows of the second antenna array.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that When the plurality of antenna elements in the second antenna array are all located on the same antenna panel, the third matrix is ​​the preset matrix; or, When the multiple antenna elements in the second antenna array are located on multiple antenna panels and the distances between adjacent antenna elements in the multiple antenna elements are equal, the third matrix is ​​the preset matrix.

24. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that In the case where the multiple antenna elements in the second antenna array are located on multiple antenna panels, and the distance between first adjacent antenna elements in the multiple antenna panels is different from the distance between second adjacent antenna elements, the first adjacent antenna elements are adjacent antenna elements on adjacent antenna panels in the multiple antenna panels, and the second adjacent antenna elements are adjacent antenna elements on the same antenna panel in the multiple antenna panels: The third matrix is ​​determined according to the preset matrix and the phase offset of the other antenna panels except the first antenna panel among the plurality of antenna panels relative to the first antenna panel, wherein: The first antenna panel is a first reference antenna panel preset among the multiple antenna panels; The phase offset of the second antenna panel in the other antenna panels relative to the first antenna panel is determined based on the width of the antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels and the distance between third adjacent antenna arrays, the third adjacent antenna array including the distance between the two antenna arrays closest to each other located in the first antenna panel and the second antenna panel respectively, the second antenna panel is any antenna panel among the other antenna panels, and the distance between the third adjacent antenna arrays is determined based on the distance between the first adjacent antennas.

25. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that: When I is equal to 1, the type I beam in the X type beams is determined according to the third matrix, the number of columns of the second antenna array, and the driving channel corresponding to the type I beam, including: The first type of beam is determined according to the fourth matrix and the first matrix set, wherein the first matrix set includes X matrices, wherein: The fourth matrix is ​​determined according to the third matrix and the number of columns of the second antenna array; The Zth matrix among the X matrices is determined according to the preset matrix and a first driving quantity, wherein the first driving quantity is the number of driving channels required for the Zth type of driving channels among the X types of driving channels to drive a first number of antenna arrays, the Zth type of driving channels is one type of driving channels among the X types of driving channels, the first quantity is equal to the number of rows of the second antenna array, Z is a positive integer, and Z is less than or equal to X.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that The first beam in the first type of beams is determined based on a first vector and a first vector set, the first vector is a column-row vector in the fourth matrix, the first vector set includes a column vector in each of the X matrices, and the first beam is one of the beams in the first type of beams.

27. The method according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that The number of beams of the first type of beam is equal to the product of the number of columns of the second antenna array and the second drive number, wherein the second drive number is the drive channel with the largest number of driven antenna arrays among the X-type drive channels, and is the number of drive channels required to drive the first number of antenna arrays.

28. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that: When I is greater than 1, the type I beam in the X type beams is determined according to the third matrix, the number of columns of the second antenna array, and the driving channel corresponding to the type I beam, including: The first type of beam is determined according to the fifth matrix and the second matrix set, wherein the second matrix set includes X-I+1 matrices, wherein, The fifth matrix is ​​determined according to the third matrix and a first difference, wherein the first difference is a difference between the number of columns of the second antenna array and the first number of columns, wherein the first number of columns is the number of columns occupied by antenna elements driven by an I-1 type driving channel in the second antenna array, and the I-1 type driving channel is a front I-1 type driving channel having the most driven antenna elements among the X type driving channels; The Yth matrix among the X-I+1 matrices is determined according to the preset matrix and a third driving quantity, the third driving quantity being the number of driving channels required for the Yth driving channel in the X-I+1 driving channels to drive the first number of antenna arrays, the X-I+1 driving channels being other driving channels in the X driving channels except the I-1 driving channels, the Yth driving channels being one of the driving channels in the X-I+1 driving channels, the first quantity being equal to the number of rows of the second antenna array, Y being a positive integer, and Y being less than or equal to X-I+1.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that The second beam in the I-th type beam is determined based on a second vector and a second vector set, wherein the second vector is a column vector in the fifth matrix, the second vector set includes a column vector in each of the X-I+1 matrices, and the second beam is one of the beams in the I-th type beam.

30. The method according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that The number of beams of the first type of beam is equal to the product of the first difference and the second difference, and the second difference is the difference between the fourth drive number and the fifth drive number, wherein, The fourth driving quantity is the driving channel that drives the largest number of antennas among the X-I+1 type driving channels, and is the number of driving channels required to drive the first number of antenna arrays. The fifth driving quantity is the driving channel that drives the least number of antenna arrays among the I-1 type driving channels, and is the number of driving channels required to drive the first number of antenna arrays.

31. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 30, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate a driving relationship between the X-type driving channel and a plurality of antenna elements in the second antenna array; Determine a second matrix corresponding to the second antenna array according to the second indication information.

32. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that The driving relationship between the multiple antenna elements in the second antenna array includes: among the multiple antenna elements, the distribution of the antenna elements respectively driven by the X-type driving channels in the second antenna array.

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that The fourth indication information is used to indicate the number of columns occupied by the antenna arrays driven by the X-type driving channels in the second antenna array, and the number of channels required for the X-type driving channels to drive a first number of antenna arrays, where the first number is equal to the number of rows of the second antenna array.

34. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, characterized in that: The fourth indication information is also used to indicate the width of an antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels and the distance between first adjacent antenna arrays, where the first adjacent antenna arrays are adjacent antenna arrays on adjacent antenna panels among the multiple antenna panels.

35. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 34, characterized in that The method further comprises: Fifth indication information is received, where the fifth indication information is used to indicate a second matrix corresponding to the second antenna array.

36. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 35, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send sixth indication information, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate the second precoding matrix.

37. The method according to claim 36, characterized in that The acquiring of downlink channel state information includes: receiving downlink channel reference information; The downlink channel state information is determined according to the downlink channel reference information.

38. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 37, characterized in that Each precoding matrix in the multiple precoding matrices indicates a group of beams respectively; accordingly, the second precoding matrix is ​​used to indicate a second group of beams in the multiple groups of beams indicated by the multiple precoding matrices, and the second group of beams includes at least one type of beam in the X type beams.

39. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 30, characterized in that: The acquiring of downlink channel state information includes: receiving uplink channel reference information; The downlink channel state information is determined according to the uplink channel reference information.

40. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is used to perform the receiving behavior or the sending behavior in the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, or to perform the receiving behavior or the sending behavior in the method according to any one of claims 20 to 39; The processing module is used to execute the processing behavior in the method as described in any one of claims 1-19, or to execute the processing behavior in the method as described in any one of claims 20-39.

41. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device comprises a processor; the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instruction so that the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, or so that the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 20 to 39.

42. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs. When the computer instructions or programs are executed on a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 20 to 39 is executed.

43. A computer program product, characterized in that When the computer program product is executed on a communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, or the communication device is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 20 to 39.

44. A chip, characterized in that: include: A processor, wherein the processor is coupled to a memory, wherein the memory is used to store programs or instructions, and when the programs or instructions are executed by the processor, the chip executes the method as described in any one of claims 1-19, or the chip executes the method as described in any one of claims 20-39.

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